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PRINCETON, N. J.

BV 2370 .B8 B7 1859 v.l
Browne, George.
The history of the British
s> and Foreign Bible Society

W. M. WATTS, CEOWN COURT, TEMPLE BAR.

THE HISTORY

OF THE

BRITISH AND FOREIGN

FROM ITS INSTITUTION IN 1804, TO THE CLOSE
OF ITS JUBILEE IN 1854.

COMPILED AT THE REQUEST OF THE JUBILEE COMMITTEE,

BY THE

REV. GEOEGE BROWNE,

DURING TWENTY YEARS ONE OP THE SECRETARIES OF THE SOCIETY.

IN TWO VOLUMES.
VOL. I.

LONDON.
SOLD AT THE SOCIETY'S HOUSE, EARL STREET,

BLACKFRIARS;

BAGSTER AND SONS, PATERNOSTER ROW;

AND ALL BOOKSELLERS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.

1859.

PREFACE,

The following work was originated in connection with the
Society's Jubilee. On that occasion, a " Statement " of the
Society's proceedings up to that time, was, at the request
of the Committee, drawn up by the Rev. G. J. Collinson, then
holding the office of Clerical Secretary of the Institution. This
document, prepared with much care, was found to be too long for
the immediate object contemplated, and only a small part of it,
therefore, was printed. At the same time, a wish was entertained
and expressed by many friends of the Society, that a work
should be prepared, approaching more in its character to that
of a "history." The project came under the notice of the
Jubilee Committee, and was favourably received. About the
same period, the weakened health of the author of these volumes,
compelled him to notify to the Committee his desire to be re-
lieved from the pressure of the full duties of a General Secretary.
He was, in consequence, allowed to retire from office, and a
smaller amount of service allotted to him ; and, in connection
with this, he was requested to undertake the present work.

A task, thus unexpectedly and honourably imposed, he did
not feel himself at liberty to decline.

In preparing a history of the "British and Foreign Bible
Society," it was requisite to bear in mind, that the design had been
already, though but to a certain extent, anticipated. A sketch of
the first fifteen years of its operations had been given to the world,
by the eloquent pen of the Rev. John Owen, A.M., the first
Clerical Secretary of the Society. The " Annual Reports " of
the Society contain an extensive summary of its proceedings.
Its " Monthly Extracts," commenced in August 1817, and con-
VoL. I. a

li PREFACE.

tiiiued through each succeeding year, supply a large number of
interesting .illustrative facts : whilst, in many separate publica-
tions, by various writers, its labours have been from time to time
recounted and reviewed. What seemed to be further required,
was a comprehensive digest of the whole, accompanied with such
additional information from unpublished documents, and other
authentic sources, as should contribute to furnish a compendious
History of the Society, during the period proposed to be embraced
by it, namely, the first fifty years, or from its institution in 1804,
to the close of its Jubilee in 1854.

One considerable difficulty incident to the task thus assigned
to the writer, arose from the fact of the chief part of the details to
be narrated, having already been given to the public ; and to
rekindle interest in a train of events, most of them familiarly
known, seemed almost a hopeless attempt. Who could tell any
thing new of the Bible Society ? It had been contemplated
already from every point of view ; and minds of the highest
order had, on different occasions, eulogized its catholic principle,
and commented, in glowing terms, on its grand and holy design.
The incidents of its origin and progress, also, had been the theme
of frequent allusion, both at Public Meetings and in Annual
Reports ; and how was it possible to invest these with any fresh
attractions ?

Such were the somewhat discouraging apprehensions, which met
the author at the commencement of a work, the object of which was
to retrace the operations of the British and Foreign Bible Society,
during the first fifty years of its existence. Yet there were not
wanting considerations, tending to show the necessity and value
of such a review. While the details of successive years had been
made public, a condensed narrative was still required, which,
embracing a long period of time, might exhibit the extent and
system of the Society's operations, as in a united, so in a more
just and impressive point of view. In proportion as the progress
of an important movement has unfolded itself before us in minute

PREFACE. m

parts, and with familiar .circumstance, we are less apt to reflect
on its hidden and remote causes, or on the extent and magni-
tude of the change it effects. If its incidents, at each advance,
are deeply interesting, they will, on that account, only the
more absorb attention to themselves, and veil from us the
principles which set the whole in action. These remarks
apply to some extent to the history of the Bible Society.
Though springing from small, and apparently casual beginnings,
that movement can hardly be termed an insignificant one, which
ultimately engaged the co-operation of thousands, in this and
in other nations, in the diffusion of the sacred Scriptures ; neither
can its magnitude be fairly appreciated by its details, unless these
are combined, and reviewed through an extensive period. Com-
menced in troublous times, when this country was engaged in
a perilous struggle, and had to ward off invasion from its shores,
it yet wakened the enthusiasm of all ranks through the empire in
its favour ; it penetrated, in all directions, to the very depths
of society; it brought the light of heavenly knowledge to the
homes of the poor ; and taught England to look on the whole
world as a field of philanthropic enterprise.

When we confine our view to the first years of the Society's
history, it is impossible, even at this distance of time, not to con-
template with a feeling of wonder, the singular spectacle of all
ranks and parties, during a period of national alarm and bitter
political dissension, uniting together in a project for disseminating
divine truth, and exhibiting a harmony, of which perhaps, in
all history, there had been no similar example, in promoting the
sublime object which had combined them. Then, again, the seem-
ingly casual nature of the first measures and suggestions, which
were so suddenly expanded and perfected into a plan of
religious philanthropy for the whole world, must impress every
one who reflects on the circumstances, with the conviction that
higher guidance than that of man's wisdom, overruled those
deliberations which, by the bold and grand suggestion of one
A 2

luiiid, readied their final result, in the formation ofthe British and
Foreign Bible Society. Nor can it be uninstructive, to mark the
succession of attacks made on the Society, as these served only to
elicit fresh talent in its service, and to bring out its distinctive prin-
ciples and claims more prominently before the public. Further,
it was believed that a retrospect of the earlier history of the
Society, would tend to revive those first impressions ofthe import-
ance of its aim, which were produced, when its formation stood in
immediate contrast with the preceding period of inaction,
and with the magnitude of the task set before it. In like
manner, the survey of the enlarging scene of its operations in
subsequent years, and of the extent to which it has advanced in
meeting the wants of the world, cannot fail to suggest lessons of
hope for the future, and of devout gratitude to Him, through
whose blessing alone success is achieved. Some service it was
also thought might be rendered, in the way of reviving the
ardent feelings and impressions which animated the first efforts
ofthe Society, by recalling, even though in passing reference, the
eloquent sentiments of those who ranked among its ea.r\y advo-
cates and defenders. Some of these were pre-eminent in genius as
in piety; and their noble testimony in behalf of the Society
has the stamp of deep conviction and of enduring truth ; and
challenges assent as fully this day, as when the project of
diffusing the Scriptures had the zest of novelty, and did not, as
now, wear the familiar aspect of age.

These are some of the general considerations, which inspired
the hope, that the narrative of the first half-century of the
Society's labours, notwithstanding the general acquaintance
possessed by many with its leading events, might prove, in this
connected form, replete with interest and instruction, and advance
the great object ofthe Society, by stimulating its friends to con-
tinued effort.

The present work is intended to furnish a concise, yet com-
prehensive account of the proceedings of the Society, during the

PREFACE. V

period which it professes to embrace. It also contains some
reference to the opposition, which the Society has at times
encountered ; the controversies which have arisen at dif-
ferent stages of its history ; and the difficult practical problems
which, in the course of its administration, it has been called to
solve.

These topics will be found adverted to, and the conduct of the
Society reviewed, not, it is hoped, in the spirit of the mere apologist
or partisan, but with frankness, impartiality, and fidelity ; and
so as to bring out the admonitory, as well as encouraging lessons,
which the experience of an Institution may be expected to
supply, that has had to urge its way through many hitherto un-
trodden paths.

The author's aim has been to give a faithful history of
one of the most prominent religious movements of modern
times, — a movement that has connected itself with, and in
some measure acted upon, every department of the universal
Church of God. A large measure of the happiest results has
been already witnessed and enjoyed; and whilst the triumphs of
the Society have yielded abundant matter for grateful praise and
adoration of that Divine care by which it has been guarded, it
may be asserted with confidence, that, through its instrumen-
tality, a blessing has been provided for ages yet to come.

The plan adopted in this work, is diflFerent from that pursued
by Mr. Owen. His method consisted of a series of, as it were,
panoramic views ; the whole circle of each year's proceedings,
being made to pass before the reader in succession. Whatever
advantages might have attended this plan, in the history of a period
comprising only, in the first instance, ten years, to which afterwards
were added five years more ; it is conceived that the same method,
pursued through a period of fifty years, would have proved both,
inconvenient and irksome, breaking up the narrative into innu-
merable, and not easily-connected portions as the operations of
each year became more extended and multifarious.

PREFACE.

The method now pursued has been, to divide the history into
two principal compartments -the Home, and the i^ore/^^r^- an-
swering to the twofold title of the Society ; the former compart-
ment, to comprise its domestic proceedings, and its operations
within the limits of the United Kingdom; the latter, to in-
clude whatever has been attempted, or accompHshed, beyond
those limits, for the benefit of the world at large. This
second part opens so wide a field, that a further division, and
even subdivision, seemed desirable. Europe, Asia, Africa, and
America, are therefore reviewed in succession; and afterwards
Australia, and the Islands of the Southern Sea. These larger divi-
sions, again, are reviewed in different portions -Central, Northern,
Western, &c.-several countries or provinces bemg grouped
together, where practicable ; or their history traced separately, if
circumstances appeared to call for it-as in the instance of Russia
and other parts of continental Europe, where the Society's con-
nections have been the most numerous, and its labours the most
abundant. This review has been, in some instances, further divided
into distinct periods, as well as localities, for reasons which are
assigned as the work proceeds. The object has been to give,
within very moderate limits, a connected and continuous view of
the Society's work; in order that thus, the course of its opera-
tions in each province, country, or separate field of labour, might
be the more distinctly traced, without materially detractmg from
a definite and comprehensive impression of the whole ; and such
details have been introduced, in connexion with each scene of
the Society's operations, as seemed necessary to give a just
idea of the work itself, or, in other respects, to possess permanent
interest. To have multiplied these details, had space permitted,
would have been an easy and a grateful task ; for the voluminous
records whence they are selected, contain a rich mine of facts
and incidents, of which those given in these volumes are to be
taken only as specimens.

In conclusion, the author must say a word or two with

respect to the use which he has made of Mr. Owen's nar-
rative. However adapted to its object at the time, it is written
with a fulness of statement, incompatible with the plan of the
present work. Composed in an ardent strain, characteristic at
once of the author, and of the enthusiasm of the period at
which he wrote, his volumes embody a mass of interesting
information, interspersed with eloquent sentiment, yet so ex-
panded as to display rather the copiousness of the orator, than
the calm recital of the historian. The present writer does not
attempt to emulate his predecessor in the warm and glowing
character of his narrative, and he has purposely guarded against
amplification. He has, however, sought to avail himself of the
substance of Mr. Owen's history, often borrowing largely his
very words ; and not a few, who still remember his stirring
appeals for the Society, will feel gratified to have these recalled.

It is hoped that the work now produced may prove not altoge-
ther unacceptable ; and if it should be found to promote, in
any degree, the great interests to which the Society is de-
voted, the author will have cause for unfeigned thankfulness.
It only remains to add, that while it has been prepared at
the request of the Jubilee Committee, and is brought out at
the expense of the Jubilee Fund, the author alone is responsible
for its execution, and for any observations or comments intro-
duced.

TuNBRiDGE Wells,

April 30, 1859.

CONTEK4,::,oLOGICi.L

PART I.

HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY IN ITS ORIGIN,
AND ITS HOME OPERATIONS.

CHAPTER I.

AN ACCOUNT OF THE ORIGIN OF THE BIBLE SOCIETY.

1804.

Introductory reniarks. — Circumstances of the Origin of the Bible
Society. — Necessities of Wales. — Application of Rev. T. Charles of
Bala. — Suggestion of Rev. J. Hughes, and Essay. — Prehminary
Meetings. — Counsels, and co-operation of Granville Sharp, William
Wilberforce, Charles Grant, &c. — The Society formally consti-
tuted.— First General Meeting.— Lord Teignmouth, President of
the Society 1-18

CHAPTER TI.

THE FIRST PERIOD OF THE SOCIETY'S EFFORTS, AND GRADUAL
EXTENSION.

1804-1808.

Information diffused of its Aim and Principles.— General assurances
of Sympathy and Support. — Inquiries set on foot as to the existmg
need of the Scriptiu-es at Home and Abroad. — Correspondence
with Oberlin. — First distribution of Scriptures in Wales, Ireland,
and Scotland. — First attacks on the Society. . . . 19 — 37

CHAPTER III.

THE AUXILIARY SYSTEM FORMED AND EXTENDED; AND THE
CHIEF ATTACKS ON THE PRINCIPLE OF THE BIBLE MOVEMENT.

1808—1812.
The first Auxihary, at Reading. — Rapid extension of Auxiliaries. —
Advantages of the Auxiliary System. — Attack of Dr. Wordsworth.
— Reply of Lord Teignmouth and Rev. W. Dealtry. — Attacks of
Dr. Marsh. — " Bible and Prayer Book." — Replies of Dr. E. Clarke
and W. Dealtry, and Speech of Rev. Robert Hall.— Attack of Dr.
]\Ialtby.— " Selections from the Bible."— Speech of Mr. Hall . 38—54

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER IV.

GENERAL PROGRESS OF THE SOCIETY JUVENILE AND

FEMALE BIBLE ASSOCIATIONS.

1812—1814,

Increasing Demand for English Scriptures. — Metropolitan Auxilia-
ries.— Visit of Dr. Steinkopif to the Continent. — Juvenile and
Female Bible Associations. — Dr. Chalmers' Address. — Safe and
beneficial tendency of Bible Associations 55 — 69

CHAPTER V.

general peace of europe, and extension of the
society's operations on tiik continent.

Effect of the general Peace. — Visit of the Allied Sovereigns to
England. — Deputation from Parent Societj'^ to the Emperor of
Russia and the King of Prussia. — Increase of the Society's Income,
and of Bible Distribution. — Society's New Premises at Earl Street.
— Ladies' Bible Associations. — Merchant Seamens' Bible Society. —
Rev. Mr. Owen's visit to the Continent. — Concluding Reflections
on this period. — Extract from Mr. Wilberforce's Speech . . 70 — 81

CHAPTER VI.

GENERAL PROGRESS OF THE SOCIETY, CONTINUED TO THE
PERIOD OF THE APOCRYPHA CONTROVERSY.

1820—1825.

Ladies' Bible Associations, Liverpool. — Death of the Duke of Kent. —
Increased communication with the Continent. — Illness and Death
of Mr. Owen. — Appointment of Rev. A. Brandram, as Secretary,
and of T. P. Piatt, Esq., as Honorary Librarian. — Issue of Native
Irish Scriptures. — Scriptures at reduced prices for Sunday
Schools 82-94

CHAPTER VII.

THE APOCRYPHAL CONTROVERSY, AND ITS RESULTS.

1825—1827.

Historical remarks on the Apocr>'pha : — Its intermixed distribution
in the Septuagint text. — First exhibited in separate arrangement
by Luther. — Retained also by the English Translators. — Account
of the Society's procedure with respect to it ; and final resolution
for its exclusion.— Ultimate results of the controversy . . 94—109

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER VITI.

EXTENSION OF THE AUXILIARY SYSTEM, AND ATTACK ON
THE society's .VERSIONS.
1826—1829.
Rev. Dr. SteinkopflTs resignation. — Renewed assurance of confidence
from Auxiliaries. — Visit of Dr. Pinkerton and Rev. R. Sibthorp to
the Continental Societies. — Rapid increase of Auxiliaries, by means
of increased Home Agency. — Attack on the Society's versions. —
Vindication by Mr. Piatt and Mr. Greenfield. — Appointment of
Mr. Greenfield to Editorial Supervision of Foreign versions — His
Death 110—121

CHAPTER IX.

controversy regarding tests and PRAYER, AND DOMESTIC

HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY TO ITS THIRTIETH ANNIVERSARY.

1830—1834.

Agitation of question respecting Tests and Prayer. — Address of the
President, Vice-Presidents, &c., against change. — Rejection of
Amendment proposed at General Meeting, 1830. — Trinitarian Bible
Society. — Adherence of Auxiliaries generally to the Parent So-
ciety.— Distribution of Scriptures to the Poor during Cholera. —
Numerous losses to the Society by Death : Mr. Wilberforce,
Rev. J. Hughes, Right Hon. Lord Teignmouth. — Rev. G. Browne
appointed Secretary.— Right Hon. Lord Bexley, President of the
Society.— Retrospect of thirty years of the Society's history, 122—156

CHAPTER X.

NEGRO EMANCIPATION, AND SPECIAL FUND ON THE OCCASION.
1834—1835.
Unabated pi'ogress of the Society amid changes in its administration.
— Negro Emancipation. — Suggestion of Rev. H. Stowell, of gift of
Scriptures on the Day of Freedom. — Special Meetings for this object,
and liberal Contributions from Auxiliaries. — 1835, the Third Cen-
tenary since the printing of the first English Bible. — Death of the
Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry, and of R. Phillips, Esq — Ap-
pointment of Rev. T. Phillij)s as Agent for AVales. . . 157 — 165

CHAPTER XI.

REVIEW^ OF PROCEEDINGS RESPECTING BAPTIST TRANSLATIONS
IN INDIA.

1836.
Diflliculties regarding the Greek word for " Baptism." — Aid granted
-by the Society to the Serampore IMissionaries. — Memorial of other

xii CONTENTS.

Missionaries on the renderings of certain words. — Correspondence
with Dr. Carey, and conferences with members of the Baptist Mis?-
sionary Committee. — Various proposals unavailing. — Formation of
the Baptist Translation Society 166 — 172

CHAPTER Xir.

SYSTEMATIC VISITATION AND LOCAL AGENCIES IN LARGE

TOWNS j AND ATTACK ON THE SOCIETY'S CONTINENTAL

VERSIONS.

1836—1839.

Hon. Mrs. Vansittart's bequest. — Support given to the Bible cause in
Wales. — Visitation in the Metropolis. — Death of Bishops Bathurst
and Burgess, Vice-Presidents — of Rev. C. Simeon, Professor
Parish, and Mr. Tarn. — Scriptures for the Blind. — Agencies in
large towns. — Activity of Merchant Seamen's Society. — Death of
Bishops of Sodor and Man, and Madras, and of T. Babington, Esq. —
Grants to London City Mission — to Manchester, &c. — Attack on
the Society's Continental Versions. — Vindication by Rev. Joseph
Jowett and Mr. Radley 173—190

CHAPTER XIII.

REDUCTION or THE COST OF THE SACRED SCRIPTURES.

1840—1844.

Measures adopted by the Society for Grants of Scriptures to Schools,
at reduced cost. — Agitation of the Right of Printing Scriptures. —
Efforts of Dr. A. Thomson and Dr. Campbell. — Reduced scale
adopted by the Queen's Printers. — Improvement in the quality of
Bibles as books. — Donation from the Wesleyan Centenary Fiind. —
Royal Patronage given to the Society. — Fortieth Anniversary of the
Society, and concluding Reflections of the Report. . . 191 — 203

CHAPTER XIV.

EFFORTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE EDUCATIONAL MOVEMENT J
AND THE SYSTEM OF COLPORTAOE.

1845—1848.

Grant of Scriptures in furtherance of Popular Education.— Special
Fund.— System of Colportage commencedin this country.— Success
in Midland Counties and in Wales. — Death of Rev. J. Pratt. —
Extraordinary movement in the sale of Scriptures in Lancashire. —
Success of Colportage in Ireland.— Death of Bishop Shirley, Lord
jNIountsandford, Earl of Ilarrowby, and Rev. Dr. Dealtry. — Scrip-
tures disposed of by Colportage 204 — 219

CONTENTS. xiii

CHAPTER XV.

REVOLUTIONS ON THE CONTINENT, AND INCREASED FACILITIES
FOR INTRODUCTION OF THE SCRIPTURES.

1848—1849.

Revolutionary outbreaks in Italy, France, Austria, &c. — Appeal
for increased effort in relation to the Continent. — Special Fund. —
designation of Rev. J. Jowett, and appointment of Rev. T. W.
Meller in the Editorial Department. — Establishment of distinct
Agency for districts around Manchester, and in other places.
— Question of Prayer revived, and modification of reading a por-
tion of the Scriptures adopted 220—229

CHAPTER XVI.

RELIGIOUS MOVEMENT IN IRELAND — THE GREAT EXHIBITION.
1849-1851.
Death of Bishop Stanley, Rev. E. Bickersteth, and others. — Extraor-
dinary Religious Movement in Ireland, resulting from Bible
distribution. — Various losses to the Society by Death : Mr. Cockle,
Rev. A. Brandram, Right Hon. Lord Bexley. — Special effort in
consequence of Romish aggression. — Earl of Shaftesbury, Presi-
dent of the Society. — Efforts ha comiection with the Great Exhibi-
tion of 1851 230—246

CHAPTER XVII.

THE JUBILEE OF THE BIBLE SOCIETY.

1852—1854.

Change in the Society's administration. — Resignation of Rev. G. J.
Collinson. — Appointment of the Rev. R. Frost. — The Year of
Jubilee. — Meetings at the London Tavei-n and Exeter Hall. —
Jubilee Fund, and its destination. — Special Fund for China. —
Commemoration Sermon at St. Paul's by the Archbishop of
Canterbury. — Sermons by other Prelates in their dioceses. — Appro-
priation of Fund to Scriptures, for Colportage, the City IMission,
Hospitals, to Ireland, the Continent, and India. — War in the East. —
Supply of Scriptures to the Army and Navy. — Resignation of Rev.
G. Browne. — Appointment of Rev. S. B. Bergne . . 247 — 270

CHAPTER XVIII.

REVIEW OF THE HOME ADMINISTRATION OF THE SOCIETY.
1854.
Importance of the Home Direction of the Society to its success and
progress. — Principles which have mainly governed its adniinistra-

iv CONTENTS.

tion.— The practical work of the Society.— The supply and circula-
tion of tlie Holy Scriptures. — Obhgations to Missionaries m regard
to Foreign Versions. — References to the Directors of the Society. —
Presidents, Vice-Presidents, Treasurers, Committee. — The amount
of time and careful judgment devoted to the work ofthe Societ}-. —
The Secretaries. — Owen, Hughes, Steuikopff, Braudram, &c., their
special and eminent qualifications — 271 — 286

PART 11.

TlISTOItY OF THE SOCIETY IN ITS FOREIGN
OPERATIONS.

i:n-troductory remarks.

The Whole World contemplated in the Constitution and Title of the
Bible Society. — Correspondence with Foreign Countries commenced
at once. — China. — First application for Mohawk version. — Division
of the Foreign History into Five Parts, Em-ope, Asia, &c — Varied
nature of tlie operations in each .... . 287 — 294

EUROPE.

CENTRAL AND NORTHERN.
CHAPTER I.

OPERATIONS OF THE SOCIETY FROM ITS INSTITUTION TO THE
TERMINATION OF THE GREAT EUROPEAN WAR.

1804—1814.

SECTION I.
CENTRAL EUROPE.

Difficult communication wdth the Continent. — Correspondence with
various places. — Bible Societies formed at Nuremberg — Alsace —
Ratisbon— Halle.— Visit of Dr. Steinkoptf, and formation of So-
cieties at Basle, Zurich, St. Gall, Stuttgart.— Grants from the So-
ciety.—Formation of Societies at Frankfort— Altona—Presburg.
— Lcander Van Ess.— Bible Society at BerHn.— Royal sanction.—
Bohemian Bible.— Capture of Berlin 297—312

CONTENTS. XV

SECTION IT.

NORTHERN EUROPE.

1804—1814.

Intended destination of Rev. Messrs. Paterson and Henderson for
India — Application to the Danish Court for passage to India. — its
faihire. — Results of their efforts in the North of Europe in the
Bible cause. — Correspondence with British and Foreign Bible
Society. — Icelandic Testament. — Bombardment of Copenhagen. —
Formation of Societies at St. Petersburgh, Moscow, Stockholm. —
Extensive issue of the Scriptures 313—332

CHAPTER ir.

FROM THE ESTABISHMENT OF PEACE IN EUROPE, TO THE ISSUING
OF THE society's APOCRYPHAL REGULATIONS.

1814—1829.

SECTION I.
CENTRAL EUROPE.

Results of preceding eiforts on the Continent. — Toursof Drs. Paterson,
Pinkerton, and Henderson. — New Societies in Germany, Switzer-
land, France. — Failure of efforts in Austria. — Papal opposition. —
Visit of Mr. Owen to the Continent. — Ban de la Roche. — Succes-
sive visits of Dr Steinkopff. — Interval of highest efficiency of
Continental Institutions. — Apocryphal Regulations. — General
dissatisfaction of Foreign Societies. — Deputation of Dr. Pinkerton
and Rev. R. W. Sibthorp. — Plan of separate Agency recommended.
— Services of Leander Van Ess ...... 333 — 371

SECTION II.

NORTHERN EUROPE.
1814—1829.

Iceland — Visit of Dr. Henderson. — Numerous Auxiliaries in Denmark.
— Version of the Old Testament for Greenland, by Bishop Fabricius
and others. — Dissent of Danish Society from the Apocryphal
Regulations. — Sweden. — Cordial support given by the Crown
Prince and the Clergy. — Auxiliaries multiplied. — Remarkable
testimony of Count Rosenblad regarding the diffusion of the
Scriptures in Sweden, &c. — Separation of the Swedish Society on
the Apocrjrjiha Question. — Russia. — Persian Version of Henry
Martyn published at St. Petersburgh. — Scriptures for Georgia. —
Version in Modern Russ. — Zeal and liberality of the Emperor. —
Extent of the labours of the Russian Society — Resignation of
Prince Galitzin. — Death of the Emperor Alexander. — Suspension
of the Russian Bible Societies — Commencement of separate
operations by the Rev. R. Knill ...... 372—397

xvi CONTENTS.

CHAPTER III.

TERIOD OF SEPARATE AGENCIES, FROM THE APOCRYPHAL

REGULATIONS TO THE YEAR OF JUBILEE.

1829—1854.

SECTION I.
CENTRAL EUROPE.

Continued adherence of Continental Societies to the Apocn'pha. —
New plan of Parent Society's operations by separate Agencies. —
France.— Depot at Paris. — Varied labours of Professor KiefFer. —
French Revolution of 1830. — Efforts of Messrs. Courtois, of
Toulouse, and first experiments of Colportage. — Death of Professor
Kieffer. — Appointment of M. de Pressense.— Extension of Col-
portage, and results. — Dr. Pinkerton at Frankfort, as General Su-
perintendent of Agencies. — Tours through Germany. — Mr. Eisner,
Scriptures supplied to the Prussian army. — Hungary. — Efforts of
Rev. Mr. Wimraer. — Revolution of 1848. — Colportage in Germany.
— Belgium. — Origin and success of Mr. Tiddy's labours. — These
extended to Holland. — Labours of Lieutenant Graydon and Major
Beckwith in Switzerland, and North Italy .... 398 — 491

SECTION n.

NORTHERN EUROPE.
1829—1854.
Denmark — Copenhagen Bible Society. — Visit of Dr. Henderson. —
Agencies at Christiana and Bergen — Sweden. — Visits of Hon. Mr.
Shore and Dr. Paterson. — Distribution of Scriptures at Skara and
Carlstadt. — Colportage at Stockholm— Patronage of the King of
Sweden — Summary of Bible circulation in Sweden. — Russian
Protestant Bible Society. — Prince Lieven, Patron. — Labours of
Rev. R. Knill at St. Petersburgh.— Siberia.— Efforts of Rev.
Messrs. Swan and Stallybrass. — Mission interdicted — Mantchou
version of New Testament — Finland. — Rev. Mr. Ellerby's Agency
at St. Petersburgh. — Odessa. — Agency of Mr. Melville.— Karaite
Jews in the Crimea. — RevicAv of Operations in Russia by Mr.
EUerby 492—544

OF THE "'^S^V^J^SWJi^^^^

BEITISH AND FOEEIGN BIBLE SOCIETY.

PART I.

HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY IN ITS ORIGIN,
AND ITS HOME OPERATIONS.

1804.

CHAPTER I.

AN ACCOUNT OF THE ORIGIN OF THE BIBLE SOCIETY.

1804.
Introductory remarks — Circumstances of the Origin of the Bible
Society — Necessities of Wales — Application ofBev. T. Charles
of Bala — Suggestion of Rev. J. Hughes, and Essay — Prelimi-
nary 3Ieetings — Counsels, and co-operation of Granville Sharp,
William Wilherforce, Charles Grant, 8fc. — The Society for-
mally constituted — First Genei^al Meeting — Lord Teignmouth,
President of the Society.

The British and Foreign Bible Society may be re- home.

garded as one of the many fruits of that religious awakening, „ "" j

which took place in this country towards the middle of the last

century. The tide of hallowed and consecrated feeling which

then arose within the boundaries of the Christian Church, Introduc-

sought for itself channels in every direction ; for genuine piety, remarks.

however personal it may be in its first principles, is naturally

and powerfully diffusive. Hence, among those whose atten- Relation of

tion had been aroused to their own spiritual interests, sprano; *^^^ l^i^ie

^ _ ' i » movement

up some of the principal Institutions which are now in ope- to a pre-
ration, both for the social and moral improvement of mankind, pgrjof of
Among these. Missions to the Heathen, and other unenlightened religious
nations, found an early and prominent place ; and Foreign
Missions were soon followed by, or rather accompanied with,
diversified efforts for the promotion of education, the diffusion
of religious tracts and books, and the adoption of other

HISTORY OF THE

HOME.

Chap. I.

1804.

Its neces-
sity.

similar means for the amelioration of the condition of those
at home.

The establishment of a Society for the universal diffusion of
the Holy Scriptures, and for that object exclusively, seems, so
far as human agency was concerned, to have been rather acci-
dental than premeditated, as will appear from the following
History ; yet it is clear, that without this, the cycle of Reli-
gious and Benevolent Institutions would have been greatly
deficient. Experience has taught the necessity and value of
such a Society, were it only for the purpose of administering to
the requirements of other Institutions. Its chief claim, how-
ever, doubtless springs from the intrinsic and superlative
importance of its distinctive object— the universal circulation
of the Holy Scriptures.

A Society for this simple purpose did not exist, anterior to
the formation of the British and Foreign Bible Society.
Several important and valuable Institutions were, indeed,
already in operation in this country, having the same object,
more or less, in view.* One of these actually bore the name of
" the Bible Society ;" its labours, how ever, were restricted to
Soldiers and Seamen, and its name was afterwards exchanged
for the more appropriate title of " The Naval and Military Bible
Society." But none of these excellent Societies, nor all of them
united, embraced so wide a field as that contemplated by the
British and Foreign Bible Society, or admitted of so large and
general a combination of different parties and sections of the
Christian Church, in furtherance of their respective plans of
usefulness.

Thus the way was open for the introduction of a Society,
whose title, "The British and Foreign Bible Society," indicates
its distinctive character, and its comprehensive design. How
urgent was the necessity which existed for such an Institution,

Society for Promoting- Christian Knowledge . . . .
Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts
Society in Scotland for Propagating Christian Knowledge
Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge amongst the Poor,
Bible Society (afterwards Naval and Military Bible Society) .
Society for theSupport and Encouragement of Sunday Schools.
(See also Appendix I. Note A),

Established
. 1698
. 1701
. 1709

1750

1780

1785

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 3

and how far it has been enabled, through the fostering care HOME,
and blessing of Almighty God, to justify the lofty aims, pg~ j
Avhich, not in a spirit of presumptuous ambition, it is be- —
lieved, but in humble, yet strong and generous faith, it ven-
tured, from the first, to assume, will be made apparent in the
coui-se of the details and incidents, which are now to pass
under review.

The Society is founded on the principle of reverence for Its funda-
the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament, as con- pl-indpies.
taining a revelation from God to men — a heavenly message
addressed to all, and 'of supreme importance to every one
of the human family. It further assumes that these " Oracles
of God " are to be looked upon by those who are so happy as
to possess them, not simply as a treasure to be enjoyed for
their personal benefit, but as a trust to be used by them for
the benefit of others. Hence, the Society aims to make these
Holy Writings known, in every nation and in every tongue,
and, as far as may be, to render them the actual possession
of every individual on the face of the whole earth : a magni-
ficent object, surely all must admit, and as benevolent as it is
grand I It unites piety with the widest range of philanthropy,
and displays the most enlightened goodwill to man, in con-
junction with a devout regard to the glory of the Most
High God.

An object so exalted and catholic, seemed to demand a cor-
responding catholicity in the framework and constitution of a
Society formed expressly to promote it. Hence, in order to
secure, as far as possible, the suffi-age and the support of all
who do homage to the Bible, as the divinely inspired record,
it was thought well, that the circulation of the Holy Scrip-
tures should be the sole and exclusive object of the Society ;
and further to simplify and protect its proceedings, it Avas re-
solved, that these Holy Writings should be issued by the Society
" without note or comment"; that thus they might go forth, in
their own unadorned majesty, to speak for themselves. On
these grounds the co-operation of all the friends of the Bible,
in every part of the Christian Church, M'as invited. Circum-

The circumstances which more immediately led to the for- ^i^g origin
mation of the British and Foreign Bible Society, are narrated of the Bible

^ "^ Society.

B 2 ^

HISTORY OF THE

HOME.
Chap. I.

Necessities
of Wales.

so much at lengtli in Owen's History,* and have been dwelt
upon so often, that a very brief reference to them here may be
sufficient.

The ascertained and urgent want of the Holy Scriptures in
Wales, and the inability to procure an adequate supply, doubt-
less, in the first instance, gave rise to the idea of a neAv Society.
As early as the year 1787 complaints had arisen of the great
dearth of the Welsh Scriptures in the Principality, and some
efforts were made to obtain supplies from the Society for Pro-
moting Christian Knowledge, the only Society that was, at
that time, able to furnish them. From' that source five hun-
dred copies were obtained ; but no further supplies could be
procured until the year 1796, when an edition often thousand
Welsh Bibles, and two thousand extra Testaments, was voted,
which was brought out three years afterwards, and put into
immediate circulation. This large supply, however, so far
from meeting the necessities of the case, only served to dis-
cover the extent of the destitution, and to stimulate, in Wales,
a more general desire to possess the Book of God. Another
application was therefore made to the same Society for an
edition of twenty thousand copies, which was, after a time, de-
clined. In consequence of this, various plans were projected,
at Chester, Shrewsbury, and elsewhere, for printing, by pri-
vate subscription, several smaller editions, but all without suc-
cess ; and it was in this emergency that, in the month of
December 1802, the Rev. Thomas Charles, of Bala, came to
London to try what could be done, by means of private friends,
to procure a fresh supply of Welsh Bibles. He was intro-
duced to the Committee of the Religious Tract Society, and
the subject was deliberately considered at several of their
meetings.! In the course of these discussions it was sug-
gested, that probably Wales was not the only part of the empire
destitute of the written word of God, and requiring assistance ;
that even Great Britain itself was not the only part of Christen-
dom which needed to be supplied ; and that it might be desirable

* Vol. I. p. 17.

t For an interesting account of these deliberations, and of the succes-
sive steps taken in furtherance of the contemplated object, see the Jubilee
Memorial of the Relig-ious Tract Society, c. vi. Appendix I. Note B.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 5

to form a Society, wliich, while it met the demands of HOME.
Wales and the necessities of our own country at large, should q^~ j
be comprehensive enough to embrace within its range and —
scope the entire world. This suggestion proceeded from the
Rev. Joseph Hughes, afterwards one of the Secretaries of the ^^'^- /• ,

CI • 1 • ... Hughes s

Society, who was requested to embody his thoughts in writing ; suggestion
and, in May 1803, he presented his Essay on " The Excellency cietyfonhe
of the Holy Scriptures." In this Essay the author expatiates World;"
on the transcendent excellence of the Holy Scriptures, enume-
rates the different Religious Societies more or less concerned
in promoting their circulation, and describes the limitations
of their respective Constitutions, and their consequent inade-
quacy to the work of a general distribution. He then repre- and Essay,
sents the importance of an association of Christians at large,
with a view exclusively to the circulation of the Holy Scrip-
tures ; and points out a variety of advantages, both direct and
collateral, which might be expected to result from the opera-
tions of such an Institution. This Essay, which may be
regarded as containing the rudiments of the future Society,
w^as widely circulated, and paved the way for further pro-
ceedings.

In the mean time, certain measures were pursued, with a
view-to the commencement of the undertaking. A communi-
cation was made of the scheme contemplated to some persons
of distinguished estimation for piety and philanthropy. Among
these was William Wilberforce, Esq., who, at a private inter-
view held with the parties who had solicited his advice, fur-
nished such hints as his enlightened mind and liberal heart
would be likely to suggest, in order to improve their plan, and
facilitate its introduction to public acceptance. A similar
commimication was made to Charles Grant, Esq., and attended
with a similar result.

The Rev. C. F. A. Steinkopflf, Minister of the German
Lutheran Church, in the Savoy, and afterwards one of the
Society's Secretaries, voluntarily tendered his services to pro-
mote the design, in the course of a journey which he was
about to make to the continent of Europe. His offer was
thankfully accepted ; and he was accordingly requested to
inquire particularly into the want of the Scriptures in such

HISTORY OF THE

HOME.

Chap. I.

1804.

First plan
of the pro-
posed So-
ciety.

Circular
Address.

places as he should have occasion to visit. Similar inquiries
were directed to be promoted in Ireland, and in other parts of
the United Kingdom ; and queries relating to the same object
were addressed to the country at large, through the medium
of certain periodical publications.*

It was not till the month of January 1804, that the mea-
sures had attained a sufficient degree of ripeness, in the esti-
mation of those engaged in them, to justify the consideration of
steps for carrying the design into actual execution. An outline
of a plan for the projected Society had, early in the preceding
year, been prepared by Samuel Mills, Esq., a gentleman, who,
to the service he rendered in laying the foundation of the
Society, added that of a judicious and useful co-operation
in the promotion of its interests, and the management of its
concerns.

The plan thus sketched out was now regularly completed ;
and the title was altered, at the suggestion of the same in-
dividualf from whom the first idea of the Institution proceeded,
from " A Society for Promoting a more extensive Circulation
of the Holy Scriptures, both at home and abroad," the form in
which it originally stood, to the definite and comprehensive
designation of " The British and Foreign Bible Society."

Things being thus far advanced, it was determined to con-
vene a Public Meeting : a Circular Address was accordingly
drawn up, and copies of it were forwarded to such individuals
as were thought likely to favour the proposed undertaking, or
at least to give an impartial hearing to what should be urged
in recommendation of it. The Address, which bore for
its title " The Importance of a further distribution of Bibles,"
briefly touched upon the principal topics which had been dis-
cussed in the Essay, and referred to that publication for more
complete and detailed information.

The following extract from this Address will be found to
deserve attention, as it explains the views of the projectors in
recommending the formation of the proposed Society ; accounts
for the delay by which the measures preparatory to its forma-

* See "Evangelical Magazine" and "Christian Observer" for June
1803.

t Rev. J. Hus-hes.

Chap. I.
1804.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 7

tion had been retarded; and manifests that spirit of candour, HOME,
conciliation, and amity, in which it was designed that its
future operations should be conducted, both at home and
abroad.

" Several Societies have been formed for the propagation of
Scripture truth, but there is room for several more. This
assertion is affectmgly confirmed by the result of specific
inquiries recently made, both in Britain and on the Continent.
A few individuals, the promoters of these inquiries, have had
frequent discussions on the subject, and are, at length, encou-
raged to hope that they shall realize their wishes in the forma-
tion of a new Society.

" Their views are considerably detailed in an Essay printed
at the conunencement of last year. Europe was then in
peace, and they were flattered with the prospect of extensive
co-operation at home and abroad. But the flames of war,
burstmg forth again with augmented violence, and spreading
unusual alarm through the country, occasioned a suspension
of measures requisite for maturing the plan. Now that the
public mind is partly recovered from its consternation, though
we may not proceed with all the advantages attached to a
time of peace, we may be laying a solid foundation, and pre-
paring suitable materials against a happier season.

" If the present period is not the most auspicious to such un-
dertakings, neither is there any danger of its being fatal to
them. ' The wall of Jerusalem,' it is written, * shall be built
in troublous times.' In fact, how many successful efforts for
the promotion of human happiness have been made amidst the
clouds and tempests of national calamity ! It should also be
remembered that the present is the only period of which we
are sure. Our days of service are both few and uncertain :
whatsoever, therefore, our hands find to do, let us do Avith our
might.

" Under these impressions, it has been proposed, by the in-
dividuals referred to above, to institute a Society entitled

" THE BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY.

"Its object— to promote the circulation of the Scriptures in
some of the principal living languages.

8 HISTORY OF THE

HOME. « The sphere of its activity — First, tlie United Kingdom of

CuAp, I, Crreat Britain and Ireland, and the European continent :

— afterwards, remoter regions, as the state of the finances may
1804. . ^ . .

admit, and the urgency of particular cases may require.

" The object and the sphere of such a Society, considered
in their union, distinguish it fi'om all existing Societies.

" The Bible Society (afterwards, the " Naval and Military
Bible Society"), distributes the Scriptures only, but confines
its distributions to the British army and navy.

" The distribution of Bibles in other Societies forms only a
part of their plan ; and, with a very few exceptions, the exer-
tions of those Societies are limited to Britain.

" The projected Society, not refusing to co-operate on the
same ground, would traverse scenes which other Societies are,
by their regulations, forbidden to occupy; and, presenting
nothing but the Inspired Volume, would be sure to circulate
truth, and truth alone ; hereby avoiding the occasions of contro-
versy, and opening a channel into which Christians of every name
might, without scruple, pour their charitable contributions.

" Several persons have expressed much solicitude on the
subject, and, together with those whom it has chiefly interested,
look cheerfiilly forward to the time when a Society, founded
on so extensive and liberal a principle, shall be able to
annoimce, in a very public manner, its ample patronage, and
its beneficent exertions."

To these observations the following notice, with the accom-
panying signatiu'es, was subjoined: —

" Sir, — The prefixed Address is respectfully submitted to
your perusal. A Public Meeting will be held relative to the
formation of the proposed Society, at the London Tavern, on
Wednesday, the 7th of March, when your presence, if you
approve the object, is requested by

Granville Sharp,
William Alers,
Joseph Benwell,
Henry Boase,
Robert Cowie,
Samuel Foyster,

Richard Lea,
Alexander Maitland,
Samuel Mills,
Joseph Reyner,
Herman Schroeder,
Christopher Sundius,

Joseph Smith Gosse_, | George W

)LFF.

BKITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 9

On Wednesday, the 7tli of March 1804, the Meeting, as HOME,
convened, took place at the London Tavern. A respectable q^~ j
company assembled, amounting to about 300 persons, be- —
longing to different religious denominations. Granville Sharp,
Esq., was tinanimously called to the Chair. The business ][!}^^J'.^
of the day was opened by R. Cowie, Esq., who was followed March 7.
by W. Alers, Esq., S. Mills, Esq., and the Rev. J. Hughes.
These gentlemen explained the nature and design of the pro-
jected Society, and demonstrated its necessity from the great
want of the Holy Scriptures, and the insufficiency of all the
means in existence to supply it. The Rev. Mr. Steinlvopff
then rose ; and, corroborating what had been previously ad-
vanced, by a representation of the scarcity of the Scriptures,
which he had himself observed in foreign parts, he especially
dwelt on the spiritual wants of his German fellow-country-
men, and appealed, on their behalf, with much simplicity
and pathos, to the compassion and munificence of British
Christians.

After Mr. SteinkopfF had resumed his seat, the Rev. Mr.
Owen, the future Clerical Secretary of the Society, who, not
without some hesitancy, had been induced to attend the Meet-
ing, rose, and moved, as he expressed it, " by an impulse which
he had neither the inclination nor power to disobey," proceeded
to express his conviction that such an institution as that which
had been recommended was manifestly needed, and that
therefore the establishment of it ought not to be delayed.
His emotions on the occasion are thus described by him long
afterwards :

" Surrounded by a multitude of Christians, whose doctrinal
and ritual differences had for ages kept them asunder, and
who had been taught to regard each other with a sort of pious
estrangement, or rather of consecrated hostility ; and reflecting
on the object and the end which had brought them so harmo-
niously together ; he felt an impression, which the lapse of years
had scarcely diminished, and which no length of time would
entirely remove. The scene was new : nothing analogous to
it had perhaps been exhibited before the public since Christians
had begun to organize among each other the strife of separation,
and to carry into their own camp that war which they ought

10 HISTORY OF THE

HOME, to have waged in concert against the common enemy. To
Chap I ^^"^ ^^ appeared to indicate the dawn of a new era in Chris-
— tendom ; and to portend something like the return of those
auspicious days when ' the muhitude of them that believed
were of one heart and of one soul ;' and when, as a conse-
quence of that union, to a certain degree at least, ' the Word
of God mightily grew and prevailed.' "
The Society After giving utterance to these feelings, Mr. Owen moved
cousUtuted. the Resolutions* embodying the name and the general form
and constitution of the Society, which were adopted with
unanimous demonstrations of cordiality and joy. The In-

* These Eesolutions are here inserted at length, that the reader may
observe the gradations of improvement in the constitution of the Society :

1. A Society shall be formed, with this designation. The British and
Foreign Bible Society ; of which the sole object shall be to encourag-e
a wider dispersion of the Holy Scriptures.

2. This Society shall add its endeavours to those employed by other
Societies for circulating' the Scriptures through the British dominions, and
shall also, according- to its ability, extend its influence to other countries,
whether Christian, Mahomedan, or Pagan.

3. Each Subscriber of One Guinea annually shall be a Member.

4. Each Subscriber of Twenty Pounds at one time shall be a Member
for life ; a Subscriber of Five Guineas per annum shall be a Governor ;
and a Subscriber of Fifty Pomids or upwards at one time shall be a
Governor for Life. Governors shall be entitled to attend and vote at all
the Meetings of the Committee.

5. An Executor, paymg a Bequest of Fifty Pounds, shall be a Member
for life ; or of One Hundred Pounds, or more, a Governor for hfe,

6. Each Member shaU be entitled, under the direction of the Committee,
to purchase Bibles and Testaments, for the purpose of gratuitous distribu-
tion, at the Society's prices, which shall be as low as possible ; but no
English Bibles or Testaments shall be given away in Great Britain by the
Society itself.

7. The Amiual Meeting of the Society shall be held in the month of
May, when the Treasurer and Committee shall be chosen, the Accounts
audited, and the Proceedings of the foregoing year reported.

8. The Committee shall consist of Thirty-six Members, who shall con-
duct the business of the Society, and have power to call an extraordi-
nary General Meeting. Twenty-four of the Committee, who shall have
most frequently attended, shall be eligible to re-election the ensuing year.

9. The Committee shall recommend, at the General Meetings, such
Noblemen and Gentlemen as shall have rendered important services to the
Society, to be elected Honorary Members.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY 11

stitution was considered as established, and more than £700 HOME,
were immediately subscribed. C^^ I_

Thus termmated the proceedings of this interesting day : — — ■
" A day," says Mr. Owen, " memorable in the experience of
all who participated in the transactions by which it was sig-
nalised ; a day to which posterity will look back, as giving to
the world, and that in times of singular perturbation and
distress, an Institution for diffusing, on the grandest scale, the
tidings of peace and salvation ; a day which will be recorded as
peculiarly honourable to the character of Great Britain, and as
fixing an important epoch in the religious history of mankind."

The Society being thus established, the Committee nomi- Appoint-
nated at the Public Meeting, proceeded to the appointment of ^^°gj.g^
Officers, the selection of patronage, and the adjustment of the
practical machinery of its operations : arrangements which,
though not miattended with difficulty, were at length satis-
factorily accomplished.* The first measure was the appoint-
ment of a Secretary. The Rev. J. Hughes, A.M., was at first pro-
posed alone for that office ; but, after some friendly discussion,
three gentlemen were appointed — the Rev. Josiah Pratt, B.D.,
Secretary of the Church Missionary Society, to represent the
Established Church; the Rev. J. Hughes, to represent the
Dissenters ; and the Rev. Mr. Steinkopff, to represent Foreign
Christian Churches. Thus a comprehensive provision was
made, adapted to satisfy, to conciliate, and to unite all classes
of Christians, both at home and abroad. After a few weeks,
the name of the Rev. John Owen, A.M., who had at first de-
clined the appointment, was, with the concurrence of all parties,
and on the earnest recommendation of Mr. Pratt himself, sub-
stituted for that of the latter gentleman. Mr. Joseph Tarn was
appointed Assistant-Secretary, and Mr. John Smith, Collector.

The next step was a measure for new-modellmg the Com- Committee,
mittee. By the Eighth Resolution, as settled at the formation
of the Society on the 7 th of March, it was enacted that the
Committee for conducting its business " should consist of
thirty-six Members." Nothing was, however, stated or defined
in that Resolution as to the description which these Members

* For a full account of the steps taken, in connexion with these objects,
see Owen, Vol. I. p. 50.

HISTORY OF THE

HOME.

Chap. I.

1804.

FiihtGeiic-
ral Meet-
ing, May 2.

should answer, or the religious communion to which they
should respectively helong. They were chosen, therefore, in-
discriminately, from the Episcopal Clergy, Dissenting Ministers,
and the Laity at large ; with little reference to any other qua-
lification than that of known or reputed attachment to religion,
and either ascertained or probable regard for the object and
success of the Institution.

It appeared, upon reflection, that a list which should ex-
hibit such a combination as would naturally arise from so
desultory a choice, might excite a prejudice against the
designs of the Society, and give it that aspect in the eyes of
the public, which would preclude it from general support. It
was further considered, that it would be highly inexpedient to
let the composition of a body, entrusted with the direction
of the Society's aflFairs, remain wholly undefined, or to leave
the annual election of its Members to the uncertain operation
of casual and unregulated feeling. A plan was therefore con-
certed for modelling the Committee on a principle which
should define the respective proportions of Churchmen, Dis-
senters, and Foreigners ; and prescribe such other regula-
tions as might obviate prejudice, prevent invidious compe-
tition, and maintain inviolate the exercise of those rights,
both of conscience and judgment, which no constituent part of
the Committee were either expected or disposed to surrender.

According to this plan, it was determined that the Com-
mittee should consist exclusively of laymen ; that of the
thirty-six Members, to which number it was limited, six
should be foreigners, resident in or near the metropolis ; and
of the remaming thirty, one half should be members of the
Established Church, and the other half members of other
Christian denominations. In order, however, to secure the
services of the Clergy and of Ministers generally, provision
was made for their admission to a seat and a vote in the Com-
mittee, on the terms which made them Members of the Society ;
a provision which, while it concealed their names, recognised
their privileges and retained their co-operation. The merit of
this plan belongs wholly to the Rev. Josiah Pratt.

The revised plan of the Society being now prepared, a
General Meetin<>; of the Subscribers and Friends of the Institii-

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY.

tion was held on Wednesday tlie 2d of May, in the same
room in the London Tavern in which the Society had been
formed. The Right Hon. Lord Teio;nmonth, whose name had
appeared among the earhest in the list of subscribers, had been
solicited to take the chair, and had consented to do so ; but
ill-health compelling him to retract his engagement, Granville
Sharp, Esq., the former chairman, kindly repeated his services
in the same capacity. At this meeting, in which William
Wilberforce, Esq., took a prominent part, the amended plan
of the Society's Regulations was presented, and unanimously
approved and adopted.

The following list will show who the parties were, to whom
the honour belongs of having served in the first Committee of
the British and Foreign Bible Society, after it had acquired a
regular and permanent constitution :

HOME.
Chap. I.

William Alers, Esq.
T. Babington, Esq.
Thomas Bernard, Esq.
Joseph Benwell, Esq.
Wilson Birkbeck, Esq.
Henry Boase, Esq.
Joseph Bunnell, Esq.

J. BUTTERWORTH, Esq.

Robert Cowie, Esq.
Charles Crawford, Esq.
John Fenn, Esq.
Sebastian Fridag, Esq.
Charles Grant, Esq.
Claes Grill, Esq.
Joseph Hardcastle, Esq.
W. Henry Hoare, Esq.
Thomas Hodson, Esq.
John Daniel Hose, Esq.

Robert Howard, Esq.
R. Lea, Esq. Alderman.
Zachary Macaulay, Esq.
A. Maitland, Esq.
Ambrose Martin, Esq.
Samuel Mills, Esq.
Joseph Reyner, Esq.
H. Schroeder, Esq.
Granville Sharp, Esq.
R. Stainforth, Esq.
Joseph Smith, Esq.
James Stephen, Esq.
Robert Steven, Esq.
C. SuNDius, Esq.
Anthony Wagner, Esq.
W. Wilberforce, Esq.
Joseph Wilson, Esq.
George Wolff, Esq.

The practical machinery of the Society having been so far
adjusted, its principles defined, its officers appointed, and its
Committee determined, it now became necessary to devise
means for rendering the Institution properly known ; and by
a fair exposition of its nature, its views, and its actual qualifi-
cations, to make way for its obtaining respectable patronage
and competent support. With this view, a prospectus was

1804,

14 HISTORY OF THE

HOME, prepared ; and directions were given that it should be printed.
Chap, I. ^^^^ widely distributed. The prospectus was as follows :

" BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY.

" A Society having been formed with the above designation,
it has been judged expedient to submit to the public a brief
statement of the reasons which exist for such a Society, of the
specific object which it embraces, and of the princijples by
which its operations will be directed.

" The reasons which call for such an Institution, chiefly
refer to the prevalence of ignorance, superstition, and idolatry,
over so large a portion of the world ; the limited nature of the
respectable Societies now in existence, and their acknowledged
insufficiency to supply the demand for Bibles in the United
Kingdom and foreign countries ; and the recent attempts which
have been made on the part of infidelity to discredit the evidence,
vilify the character, and destroy the influence of Christianity.

" The exclusive object of this Society is, to difliise the
knowledge of the Holy Scriptures, by circulating them in the
different languages spoken throughout Great Britain and Ire-
land ; and also, according to the extent of its funds, by pro-
moting the printing of them in foreign languages, and the
distribution of them in foreign countries.

" The principles upon which this midertakmg will be con-
ducted, are as comprehensive as the nature of the object suggests
that they should be. In the execution of the plan, it is proposed
to embrace the common support of Christians at large; and to
invite the concurrence of persons of every description who
profess to regard the Scriptiu'es as the proper standard of faith.

" It may be necessary to add, in soliciting the countenance
of the pviblic, that, in consequence of the enlarged means of
instruction which the lower classes of this country have en-
joyed of late years, a desire of perusing the Scriptui'es has
considerably increased among them : and also that in Wales,
Ireland, Switzerland, Germany, Denmark, and other parts of
the world. Bibles are greatly wanted, and in some are sought
with an eagerness which, but for authentic assurances to that
effect, would scarcely be credited."

Before, however, this prospectus was issued, another im-
portant step had been taken, by the appointment of a President

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 15

to the Society. In this appointment the Society was much HOME.
indebted to the judgment and advice of the estimable Bishop qjj~ ^
of London, the Rio-ht Rev. Dr. Porteus, who, in an interview —

lft04

with Mr. Owen, the Secretary of the Society (and also his Lord-
ship's chaplain), suggested the name of Lord Teignmouth, as a LordTeign-
Nobleman singularly qualified for the office. The suggestion p^g'^-^gnj.
was immediately conveyed to the Committee, and in a few days of the So-
his Lordship's name, as President of the Society, appeared, ap-
pended to the above document. No appointment could have been
happier, more honourable, or more beneficial to the Society.

One thing more was deemed requisite, in order to complete
the organization of the Society, and that was the placing it
under suitable patronage. This object also was satisfactorily at-
tained. On the 15th of May, the day after Lord Teignmouth's
nomination to the Presidency, the Bishops of London and Dur-
ham sent in their names as subscribers of Five Guineas annually
to the funds of the Society ; and before the close of the ensuing
June, both these Prelates, together with the Bishops of Exeter
(afterwards Salisbury) and St. David's, accepted the office of
Vice-President. By the 27tli of July, this list was augmented
with the names of Sir William Pepperell, Bart., Vice- Admiral
(afterwards Lord) Gambler, Charles Grant, Esq., and Willram
Wilberforce, Esq. ; and these, together with Henry Thornton,
Esq., who had allowed his name to stand as Treasurer from
the commencement of the Society, filled up those stations,
which, next to that of the President, determined the character
and fixed the respectability of the Institution.

It remains to add, that an alteration, confirmed at the next Final form
Annual Meeting, was now made in the Laws and Regulations, in °fg*^^g^°"
order to bring them to that form which they ultimately as- Laws and
sumed, and which, with a very small variation, to be afterwards ^jp^g^ ^"
noticed, they retain to the present day. The principal altera-
tion now made was by the addition of the following words to the
first article, or regulation — " The only copies in the languages
of the United Kingdom to be circulated by the Society, shall
be the authorized version, without note or comment." The
words " without note or comment" were afterwards placed in
the middle of the article, immediately following the words
"Holy Scriptures," in order to render the whole article more

10 HISTORY OF THE

HOME, perspicuous and explicit. A copy of the stcanding Laws and
Chap. I. Regulations, as thus amended, is here given.

^«04- LAWS AND REGULATIONS

OF THE

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY.

I. The designation of this Society shall be the British
AND Foreign Bible Society, of which the sole object shall
be to encoiu'age a wider circulation of the Holy Scriptures,
without note or comment : the only copies in the languages of
the United Kingdom to be circulated by the Society shall be
the authorized version.

II. This Society shall add its endeavours to those employed
by other Societies for circulating the Scriptures through the
British dominions; and shall also, according to its ability,
extend its influence to other countries, whether Christian,
Mahomedan, or Pagan.

III. Each Subscriber of One Guinea annually shall be a
Member.

IV. Each Subscriber of Ten Guineas at one time shall be a
Member for Life.

V. Each Subscriber of Five Guineas annually shall be a
Governor.

VI. Each Subscriber of Fifty Pounds at one time, or who
shall, by one additional payment, increase his original sub-
scription to Fifty Pounds, shall be a Governor for Life.

VII. Governors shall be entitled to attend and vote at all
Meetings of the Committee.

VIII. An Executor paying a Bequest of Fifty Pounds shall
be a Member for Life ; or of One Hundred Pounds, a Govenor
for Life.

IX. A Committee shall be appointed to conduct the business
of the Society, consisting of Thirty-six Laymen, Six of whom
shall be Foreigners, resident in London or its vicinity : half
the remainder shall be Members of the Church of England,
and the other half Members of other denominations of Chris-
tians. Twenty-seven of the above number, who shall have
most frequently attended, shall be eligible for re-election for
the ensuing year.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 17

The Committee shall appoint all Officers, except the Trea- HOME,
surer, and call Special General Meetings, and shall be charged Ciiap. T.
with procuring for the Society suitable patronage, both British 7-
and Foreign.

X. Each Member of the Society shall be entitled, under the
direction of the Committee, to purchase Bibles and Testaments
at the Society's prices, which shall be as low as possible.

XL The Annual Meeting of the Society shall be held on
the first Wednesday in May, when the Treasurer and Com-
mittee shall be chosen, the Accounts presented, and the Pro-
ceedings of the foregoing year reported.

XII. The President, Vice-Presidents, and Treasurer, shall
be considered, ex-officio, Members of the Committee.

XIII. Every Clergyman or Dissenting Minister who is a
Member of the Society shall be entitled to attend and vote at
all Meetings of the Committee.

XIY. The Secretaries for the time being shall be considered
as Members of the Committee ; but no person* deriving any
emolument from the Society shall have that privilege.

XV. At the General Meetings, and Meetings of the Com-
mittee, the President, or, in his absence, the Vice-President
first upon the list then present ; and in the absence of all the
Vice-Presidents, the Treasurer; and in his absence, such
Member as shall be voted for that purpose, shall preside at
the Meeting.

XVI. The Committee shall meet on the first Monday in
every Month, or oftener if necessary.

XVII. The Committee shall have the power of nominating-
such persons as have rendered essential services to the Society,
either Members for Life, or Governors for Life.

XVIII. The Committee shall also have the power of nomi-
nating Honorary Members from among Foreigners who have
promoted the objects of the Society.

XIX. The whole of the Minutes of every General Meeting
shall be signed by the Chairman.

These preliminary arrangements having been adjusted,

* Subsequently, in 1823, altered to "no other person": see Nineteenth
Report, p. 75.

18 HISTORY OF THE

HOME, the Society was placed in a condition to go forward in tlie ful-

Chap. I, filment of the momentous task which it liad volmitarily, deli-

— berately, and, we may add, in a huml)le reliance on the Divine
1804. J' ' ./ '

blessing, taken npon itself.

Before, however, we proceed to accompany the Society in
its onward movements, it may be well to pause, though it be
but for a moment, to notice the encouraging combination of
circumstances which marked its outset. We see, then, before
us an Institution, novel in its scope and constitution, if not
wholly so in its immediate object; — ^I'eared in comparative
obscurity, flien suddenly emerging into the full light of piiblic
favour ; — putting forth claims unprecedented in the annals of
the Church, and having those claims responded to; — demanding
an organization at once difficult and complex, and svicceeding in
effecting it ; — going forth on an almost illimitable field of labour,
yet not without the aid of dauntless hearts and willing hands
to further its enterprise. Had the object of the Institution
been merely earthly and secular, we could scarcely have
failed to watch its future course with interest : how much
more may it be expected we should do this, when its aim is
spiritual and heavenly. We are about, be it remembered, to
trace the outgoings and ramifications of a scheme to commu-
nicate to all the nations of the earth the inestimable blessings
of revealed truth. The impress of a Divine direction is
surely discernible in what we have just seen of the origin of
the scheme ; and it will not be found less conspicuous in its sub-
sequent mifolding and progress. We have just seen the be-
ginning of a " great and marvellous work : " let us be prepared,
at every step, to give the glory to Him, to whom alone all
glory is due.

IJRITISII AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 19

CHAPTER 11.

THE FIRST PERIOD OF THE SOCIETY'S EFFORTS, AND
GRADUAL EXTENSION.

1804—1808.
Information diffused of its Aim and Principles — General assu-
rances of Sympathy and Snjyport — Inquiries set on foot as to
the existing Need of the Sc7'iptures at Home and Abroad — Coi--
7'espondence with Oherlin — First distribution of Scriptures i7i
Wales, Ireland, and Scotland — First attacks on the Society.

One of the first steps now taken was to make the Society Home.

more fully known. The Prospectus already alluded to, which ^^~ jj
had been previously prepared, and wliich contained a state- —

ment of the reasons existing for such a Society, the object informa-

embraced by it, and the principles by which its operations were *'on dif-

1 11 1 • 1 /-.. 1 . 11 1 fused re-

to be conducted, was, together with a Circular signed by the specting
President, printed and widely dispersed. the Society.

An official and respectful communication announcing the for-
mation of the Society, and its general plan and design, was also
made by the President to the two Religious Societies of Eng-
land and Ireland, "The Society for Promoting Christian Know-
ledge," and "The Association, in Dublin, for discountenancing
vice and promoting the knowledge and practice of the Christian
Religion": from the latter, a friendly reply, was shortly
after received.

The notification thus made to the public was soon followed Cordial
by an influx of commmiications, giving friendly assurances of of suppOTt!
sympathy and support. Several associated bodies, as well as
innumerable individuals, hastened to testify their approbation
of the new Society, and their willingness to co-operate with
it. This was the case with the latter of the two Societies,
mentioned above. — The Presbytery of Glasgow directed con-
tributions to be received for the Institution from all the
churches and chapels within their bounds,* which act was

* In this friendly movement the name of David Dale, E.sq., of Glas-
gow, appears conspicuous. Owen, Vol. I. p. 101.
C 2

Chap. II
1804.

20 HISTORY OF THE

HOME, confirmed, and the example followed by the Synod of Glasgow
and Ayr, and also by different classes of Dissenters in Scotland.
Within the first year, the Principality of Wales, stinnilated by
tlie efforts of Mr. Charles of Bala, and the recommendation of
First ofier- the Bishop of I>angor, Dr. Warren, sent up a mass of contri-
v('a^les^°'" butions, both congregational and personal, amounting to nearly
£1900. Such a sum was the more remarkable, and certainly
not the less gratifying, from the consideration of its having
been contributed, for the most part, by persons composing the
plain and inferior orders of the community.

The publicity given to the Institution, and the effects result-
ing from a knowledge of its establishment, were not confined
to the United Kingdom. The formation of the Society was
hailed with delight in Germany, Switzerland, and many other
parts of the continent of Europe. The imperial city of Nurem-
berg became distinguished as the centre of the first associated
efforts commenced abroad in connection with the Society ;
and Pastor Oberlin and Professor Van Ess, were among the
first to be enrolled on the list as its foreign correspondents.
Destitu- In conjunction with these efforts to diffuse information

reigii coun- respecting the Society, the inquiries which had been set on foot
tries, for ascertaining the want of the Holy Scriptures, both at home

and abroad, were renewed. It soon became apparent, that the
deficiency which had been discovered in Wales, existed to an
equal, if not greater extent in other parts of the United King-
dom, and that the destitution in foreign countries was ap-
palling. Many of the representations thus elicited, especially
those from the Continent, were accompanied with the most
earnest and affecting appeals for aid. It was felt to be an im-
perative and immediate duty to take measures for the supply
of these necessities ; and to this object, which constitutes,
indeed, the proper business of the Society, the attention of its
Committee was now in good earnest directed,
and first Grants of books and money were made for the encourage-

^^ " '^^ ment of foreign operations, and supplies of Bibles and Testa-
ments sent abroad. The attention of the Society was also, at
this early stage of its proceedings, called to the subject of
foreign translations ; and it is remarkable that tlie first of these
were the Chinese and the Mohawk.

BRITISH AND FOKEIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 21

The measures, however, ^Yhich were adopted in regard to HOME,
foreign countries Avill be more fidlj detailed in a subsequent part q^ ~ j j
of tliis history. But it may be proper here to remark, that —
from the very establishment of the Society, a large portion of
the time, at all sittings of its Committee, had been devoted to
the Society's foreign transactions — to the reading of corre-
spondence, and to deliberations on the course requisite to be
taken, in carrying on a work which was soon found to be one
of no ordinary interest, and which, while branching into a
variety of departments at home, extended itself at last to
almost every part of the globe.

To meet the wants of our oAvn country, measures were im-
mediately taken to obtain large supplies of the English and
Welsh Scriptures; to which were subsequently added the
Scriptures in the Irish, Gaelic, Manx, and, for the Channel
Islands, in the French ; thus comprising the several languages
spoken throughout the United Kingdom.*

It is worthy of notice, that about this time the process of Stereotype
Stereotype printing had just come into use, and thus, at an op- ^"4^*^"^.
portune moment, contributed greatly to facilitate the Society's brought
operations, both by the rapid multiplication of copies, and by ^'^^^ ^^^'
the reduced cost of their production.

This art, though partially known many years before, had
been advanced considerably towards perfection by the united
ingenuity and perseverance of Earl Stanhope and Mr. An-
drew Wilson ; and to the latter belongs the praise of having
brought it into general notice, and qualified it for being
advantageously employed in printing the Holy Scriptures.
Mr. Wilson had opened a negociation with the Univer-
sity of Cambridge, which had been brought to a favour-
able issue; and the Syndics of the Press had concluded to
adopt his process for printing Bibles and Testaments, at the very
period in which inquiries were making by the Society into the
best mode of obtaining supplies of both, in the languages of the
United Kingdom. The plan of printing the Scriptures by
stereotj-pe appeared to offer so many and important advantages,
by furnishing the means of a regular and permanent supply of
copies, by perpetuating a correct and standard text, and favour-
* Owen, Vol. I. p. «9.

22 HISTORY OF THE

HOME, ing its general propagation through the country, and, finally, by
Ciia7 II materially reducing the price — that it was judged expedient to
— give it the decided countenance of the Institution, and to stipulate
for engagements to such an amount as might encourage the
prompt and complete adoption of the system. Under this con-
viction, after the result of very extended inquiries had been
maturely considered, a Resolution was passed, that a number
of Bibles and Testaments in stereotype should be immediately
ordered, and among that number twenty thousand Welsh
Bibles and five thovisand Testaments were included. This was
on the 3d of September 1804.*
BiblicalLi- About this period, also, the foundation was laid for that Bib-
mruced!"' ^^^^^ Library which, by gradual accumulation, is now become so
considerable and important. It had appeared to many friends
of the Institution in a high degree desirable and expedient
that copies should be procured (as far as practicable) of all the
existing versions of the Holy Scriptures ; in order that the
Society might not be at a loss for a standard edition, and the
means of collation, whenever an occasion should arise for print-
ing an impression on its own accomit. The first step which
was taken in pursuance of this design is to be traced in a Reso-
lution (passed on the 3d of December 1804), by which it was
determined, that of every edition or translation of the Holy
Scriptures, or of parts thereof, printed under the auspices of
the British and Foreign Bible Society, six or more copies
should be transmitted, to be lodged in its Depository. But as
it was foreseen that the operation of this measure would be
unavoidably slow, limited, and remote, it was afterwards
determined that an appeal should be made to the com-
munity at large, through the medium of certain daily
newspapers and periodical publications of character, soli-

* This process of printing, however, has at length, in a great degree,
given place to another — that of "standing types"— which, though
involving a much larger outlay at the commencement, proves to be, on the
whole, where a great number of separate editions are required, both
more efficient and more economical. This process consists of setting
the whole book up at once in type, and in keeping the type in that
state, " standing," or " fixed," and so printing from each page or form
as it stands, without casting plates. The type thus prepared is found to
last nmch longer, and errors are more easily corrected.

BRITISH AND FOllEIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 23

citing donations of Bibles, Testaments, or portions of the HOME.
Scriptures, in tlie ancient or modern languages. The first q,,^ jj
fruits of this determination were a munificent present from —
Granville Sharp, Esq., of thirty-nine copies of the Holy Scrip-
tures, or certain portions of them, in various languages, to-
gether with the Irish and Italian versions of the English Li-
turgy. Thus the first chairman of the Society became also
the first contributor to its library.*

The Society had now entered with much vigour on its
prescribed course of action, encouraged by the patronage of
many of the great and honourable, and effectively sustained
by the liberal contributions, and doubtless also by the prayers
of a multitude of the good, in every community, and of every
grade and rank.

It was soon, however, found that the path which the Society First iudi-
had marked out for itself, however simple, unexceptionable, u^*l"j-! °^
and praiseworthy it might appear, was not to be pursued with- theSociety.
out impediment and opposition. Irrespective of the difficulties
naturally attendant on a work of such a nature and magnitude,
and where the advantage of experience had yet to be gained,
suspicion of the Society's motives began to show itself in some
quarters, and in others an attitude of direct hostility was
assumed.

The first painful discussion that arose, related to the text to Charges
be employed for a new edition of the Welsh Bible ; that Avhicli ^'\'"j^* '^'"'
was in use havmg been revised, and slightly altered, chiefly in siou.

* The example set by this illustrious man has been since extensively
followed by other friends of the Society, who, from time to time, have
contributed versions of the Bible in various- languages, works on Bibhcal
criticism, Grammars, and Dictionaries.

The Library now consists of about 5000 volumes of printed books
and manuscripts, of which by far the " greater part are presents, while a
few have been pm'chased, and the rest are copies of versions pubhshed by
the Society."

Altogether it contains versions of the Holy Scriptures — either in whole
or in part— in more than 150 different languages. In Commentaries and
Bibhcal criticism the Library is not so rich as could be desired. The
same may be said of its Liturgical works, and the department of general
theology. With Grammars, Dictionaries, and jjhilological works gene-
rally, it is respectably furnished, but here also many deficiencies might
be noticed See Preface to the new Catalogue of the Society's Librarv.

1805.

24 HISTORY or THE

HOME, the orthography, under the care of the Rev. Mr. Charles of
Ch^Tii. Bala. Some miputations bemg cast on this revised text, and
on the Society as countenancing it, the subject was sub-
mitted to a full and careful investigation, and was ultimately
disposed of, without any disparagement of the labours of Mr.
Charles, by the adoption of the same text as that employed or
sanctioned by the Christian Knowledge Society.* By this step
all further controversy was avoided, and the affair brought to
an amicable conclusion. There were ordered to be printed
twenty thousand copies of the complete Welsh Bible, and
ten thousand Testaments; and such has continued to be
the demand for the Scriptures in Wales, that subsequent
editions, amounting in the whole to nearly nine hundred
thousand, including about twelve thousand Testaments in
Welsh and English, have been, up to the present time,
called for.
The move- Of the many direct attacks, which the Institution was
"resented destined to encounter, the first was opened in a publication en-
hostilcto titled, "An Address to Lord Teignmouth, &c., by a Country
Clergyman." t Though little deserving of notice in itself, yet.
Church. fj.Qjj^ tl^e importance of the question which it professed to
discuss, namely, the danger to be apprehended to the Esta-
blished Church from the new Society, it was judged expedient
by the Bishop of London to convene a meeting of the episcopal
patrons of the Society, to deliberate on the subject of this
pamphlet. After receiving full explanations from the Presir-
dent and Secretary, their Lordships expressed themselves
entirely satisfied with the conduct of the Society, and unani-
mously determined that it should continue to receive their
support. Mr. Owen, at the request of the Bishop, published
a pamphlet in reply, which was entitled, "A Letter to a
Country Clergyman, &c., by a Suburban Clergyman."

We may here allude to a circumstance which, though it
relates to a foreign transaction, may be taken as illustrative of

* For a full account of the proceedings in this case, in which the Society-
was for a time brought into collision with the Christian Knowledge So-
ciety, see Owen, Vol. I. p. 138,- and Dealtry's Vindication. See also Ap-
. pendix to the same, where the official correspondence is detailed.
t Owen, Vol. I. p. 155.

the Esta'
Wished

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 25

the cautiousness with which the proceedings of the Society HOME,
were conducted at home. It having come to the knowledge cu^ xi.
of the Committee that the Nuremberg Society had, at the —

1805

request of a newly-formed Roman-Catholic Society at Ratis-
bon, exchanged a grant of one thousand Protestant New Tes-
taments for an equal number of Roman-Catholic ones, the
Committee, fearing to commit themselves precipitately to a
course of action, on the tendency of which they did not feel at
the moment prepared to decide, interposed, and induced the
Nuremberg Society to rescind their grant.* At the same time,
however, to prevent disappointment, and with a view to protect
the British and Foreign Society from the charge of illiberality,
as well as to uphold the credit of the Nuremberg Society,
some members of the Committee united, in their private
capacity, to defray the cost of the thousand Testaments re-
quired for Ratisbon.

In September 1805, the first impression of a New Testament, The So-
printed expressly for the use of the Society, was brought out. It impression
was in English, from stereotype plates, and exhibited the earliest ^[ the New
example of the application of this mode of printing to any part
of the Holy Scriptures. As it was the first sample of the
editions provided by the Society for home circulation, a copy
of it was presented to the President, the Vice-Presidents, each
member of the Committee, and the principal officers of the
Society, both as a mark of due respect, and as a testimony
that the copies issued in the languages of the United Kingdom
would be, what the fundamental rule had stipulated they should
be, " the authorised version, without note or comment."

With a view to identify the copies issued by the Society,
and thereby to prevent, as far as possible, any fraud upon
its charity, the Society's imprint was inserted in the title-page,
and its designation stamped upon the binding : an expedient
which has since been adopted by other Societies, both at home
and abroad.

An impression of the New Testament having thus been

prepared, the work of distribution in the United Kingdom

commenced without delay. Ireland, whose wants were

deemed the most urgent, and were also, at that time, the best

* Owen, Vol. I. p. 177.

HISTORY OF THE

HOME, ascertained, was the first scene in which it was carried into
Chap^II. effect. Individual agents and Sunday Schools were the me-
— diums through which the copies transmitted for this purpose
were put into circulation. The Dublin Association was also
assisted, as were, subsequently, the Naval and Military Bible
Society in London, and other religious Institutions in this
country, by being permitted to share with the Society in its
advantageous arrangements with the University of Cambridge ;
and every opportunity was eagerly embraced of supplying,
both directly and indirectly, the scriptural wants of the popu-
lation, and of exciting attention to the importance of reading
and dispersing the lively oracles of God.
Dublin Bi- One of the earliest and most beneficial results of the
ble Society, (jjgtribution in Ireland, was the establishment of a Bible
Society at Dublin, on similar principles Mid in friendly con-
nection with the British and Foreign Bible Society ; an ho-
nourable precursor to which, had been found in the Dublin
Association for Discountenancing Vice and Promoting the
Knowledge and Practice of the Christian Religion, which,
in conjunction with its other objects, had also done much
towards the circulation of the Holy Scriptures ;* not enovigh,
however, to preclude the necessity of a new Society exclusively
devoted to this purpose. Hence the formation of the Dublin
Bible Society, afterwards called the Hibernian Bible Society ;
an Institution, small in its commencement, and subsisting for
a period with very limited countenance and equivocal support ;
but now possessing distinguished patronage, and operating
with enlarged means and great activity through the whole of
the sister country.

The attention of the British and Foreign Bible Society was,
about this time, excited to the consideration of the Gaelic
Scriptures. Representations were transmitted from persons of
credibility, stating that, in the Highlands of Scotland, very
few persons were in possession of a complete Bible; that
among those who possessed a single volume of the four in
which the Scriptures had been published, the proportion did
not exceed one in forty ; that the price of a complete copy

* For a fuller account of the valuable efforts of this Society, see Owen,
Vol I. p. 198.

Destitu-
tion of the
Highlands
ofScotlaud.

BRITISH AND FOKEIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 27

was beyond tlic ability of the poor to purchase; and that, in HOME,
fact, it was not easily procurable at any price. It was added, n ~ jj
that, in the Island of Skye, containing about 15,000 persons, —
scarcely one Gaelic Bible was to be found.

It further appeared, on the authority of an address,
delivered in May 1803, by the Secretary to the " Society
in Scotland for Propagating Christian Knowledge," that, " out
of 335,000 persons in the Highlands, 300,000 were considered
not to understand any other language than the Gaelic, so far
at least as to comprehend a book written, or a continued dis-
course."

This information was of a nature to awaken the most lively
concern in the minds of the Committee. It was immediately
felt that an attempt ought to be made to meet the wants and
the desires of a people so truly deserving of compassion and
relief. After a friendly correspondence with the Society in
Scotland for Propagating Christian Knowledge, which was
at that time itself engaged in printing an edition of these
Scriptures, it was determined, on the part of the British and
Foreign Bible Society, to print a new edition of 20,000
copies of the Old and New Testament, in the Gaelic Ian- Gaelic
guage, for the use of the Highlanders ; the same ver- '^■"'P*'^''^'^-
sion being adopted as that used by the abovenamed venerable
Society.

The version which constituted this text had been effected
with singular care, and was recommended by testimonies to its
fidelity and accuracy which entitled it to the highest respect.
That portion of it which contamed the New Testament, was
the production of the Rev. James Stewart, Minister of Killin,
and was printed, at the expense of the above Society, in 1767,
previously to which era no part of the Holy Scriptures had
appeared in a Gaelic dress. In 1802, under the auspices,
and at the expense of the same Society, the Old Testament
was published. Three parts out of four, into which this
portion of the Bible had been divided, were rendered from the
Hebrew, with great simplicity, and with as literal an adherence
to the original text as the idiom of the respective languages
would admit. In the fourth part, executed by another hand,
the style was described as receding from this simplicity, and

HISTORY OF THE

HOME.

Chap. II.

1805.

Scriptures
provided
for prison-
ers of war.

Auxiliary
Associa-
tions.

the literal and plain interpretation was said to have been
exchano-ed for the free and elevated. This division, therefore,

of the sacred text, was judiciously placed under correction by
the Scottish Society.

Such was the text from which the impression of the
British and Foreign Bible Society was afterwards printed ;
and it deserves to be recorded, to the honour of the Directors
of " the Society in Scotland for Propagating Christian Know-
ledge," that, when addressed on the subject of the Gaelic
Scriptures, though occupied themselves in preparing an edition,
they did not betray any symptoms of selfishness or jealousy, but
generously imparted the desired information ; and furnished
a copy of the Old Testament, as soon as it left their press,
for the iise of the printer employed by the British and Fo-
reign Bible Society. Successive editions, either of the
whole Bible or the New Testament, have since been brought
out and distributed, amounting in the whole to nearly 150,000
copies.

The case of the numerous prisoners of war, in this
country, next claimed and received the consideration of the
Society. They numbered, at that time, about 30,000, being
chiefly French and Spanish prisoners. For their special
benefit, impressions both of the French Bible and Spanish
Testament were printed, and other measures adopted that
appeared called for by the occasion. Thus a beginning was
made in that department of beneficence which afterwards, for
a length of time, occupied the labours of the Society ; many
evidences of the pleasing results of which, both immediate and
remote, were afforded. Other foreigners also, whether occa-
sionally located or permanently established in this country,
shared in the solicitude of the Society, and, where they needed
its assistance, readily obtained it. Among these may be par-
ticularly mentioned natives of Germany, resident in the metro-
polis, or in different parts of the empire.

The period was now come for the commencement of
that wider organization by which the Society was destined to
diffuse itself through the length and breadth of the empire.
We refer to those voluntary Associations in aid of the Society,
wliicli this year began to be formed. The first demonstration

1806.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 29

in favour of tlie Society, upon a principle of combined and HOME,
aggregate exertion, had been made in March 1805, when the c^ap II.
Presbytery of Ghisgow set the example, so speedily and
honourably followed by the Synod of Glasgow and Ayr, and
afterwards by different Presbyteries, of a collection at all the
parish churches and chapels within its bounds. The Society
in Scotland for Propagating Christian Knowledge, also issued
an Address recommendatory of the Society, one of the earliest
and most beneficial results of which was a collection on its
behalf throughout the bounds of the Presbytery of Edinburgh.
An Association was formed in London, in July 1805, ori-
ginating with a few individuals of comparative obscurity, and
aspiring to no other distinction than that of exemplary zeal for
the diffusion of scriptural truth. Another Association was
established, in April 1806, in the town of Birmingham, chiefly
through the instrumentality of a highly-respected clergyman,
the Rev. Edward Burn, of which he and the Rev. John
Angell James became the first Secretaries. It must, indeed,
be conceded in favour of the Principality, that the congrega-
tional collections made in that country (the first which took
place on any considerable scale), partook, in some measure, of
the aggregate quality of the above Associations, with this
difference, however, that the collections transmitted from
Wales were contingent and occasional, while the contributions
from Glasgow, Edinburgh, London, and Birmingham, were
raised upon system, and accompanied with a pledge of con-
tinuance and periodical renewal. The Associations in London
and Birmingham contained the rudimental originals, and were,
in fact, the harbingers of those most useful and productive In-
stitutions, Auxiliary Bible Societies.

While the Society was thus variously occupied, and re-
ceiving testimonies of approbation and countenance from diffe-
rent quarters, the elements of hostility were still secretly at
work, and a storm was collecting, by wdiich the agents who raised
it presumptuously hoped to involve the Institution in certain
and irremediable destruction.* The mode of attack was similar
to that which had been adopted on the former occasion— an
attempt to detach from the Society its episcopal patrons ; and
* Owen, Vol. I. p. 221.

30 HISTORY or THE

HOME, it ended, as tliat had done, in utter disappointment and defeat.
Cha7 II. ^ pamplilet was addressed to the Bishop of London, charging
— liini with "misleading his episcopal brethren, and betraying
the Established Chm-ch by his connection with the Society."
At the desire of the Bishop, Mr. Owen prepared for him a
memorial, containing a solid examination of facts, adapted to
explain the nature of the Society's general proceedings, and to
evince the correctness with which it had adhered to its fanda-
mental regulations, in all its transactions both abroad and at
home. After a time, Mr. Owen had the satisfaction of learn-
ing from his Lordship, that the whole impression of the
pamphlet had been withdrawn. It turned out that the writer
of it was the same individual who, in the Spring of 1805, had,
under the character of a "Country Clergyman," addressed
Lord Teignmouth.
Welsh New Li the month of July 1806, the first edition of the Society's
Testament, stereotype Welsh New Testament, the printing of which had
been retarded by causes already adverted to, was completed,
and immediately put into circulation. It obtained a rapid
sale, and was considered, on good authority, to surpass, in
correctness, any other which had then been printed in the
'Welsh language.*
New edi- Further editions of the English Scriptures, from the stereo-

EnTiish'^^ tyP® press, including two of the entire Bible, were now brought
Scriptures, out; showing that the Society was not unfaithful to the domestic
object of its appointment, and was not tempted, by its various
and interesting engagements in foreign parts, to lose sight of a
due provision for our own country. And when it is observed,
that in these, as well as in all subsequent editions of the
English Scriptures, the authorized text, without note or com-

* The following- account of the manner in which these Testaments
were received is given on the authority of " an eyewitness."

" When the arrival of the cart was announced which carried the first
sacred load, the Welsh peasants went out in crowds to meet it ; welcomed
it as the Israehtes did the ark of old ; drew it into the town ; and eagerly
bore off every copy, as rapidly as they could be dispersed. The young-
people were to be seen consuming the whole night in reading' it. La-
bourers carried it with them to the field, that they might enjoy it during
the intervals of their labour, and lose no opportunity of becoming ac-
quainted with its sacred truths.— Christian Observer for July ISIO.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 31

ment, was exclusively adopted, it may appear that the Society HOME.

has done no small service to the cause of orthodox Christianity ^y ~ jj
by pre-occupying the ground with the standard translation of —
the Holy Scriptures, which might otherwise have been seized
by the propagators of novel and deteriorated versions.

It ought also to be added, that no ordinary pains were Collation of

bestowed upon the examination of the copies, with a view pgr/^cuext

to determine the deo-ree of correctness with which they were of the Au-

^ . T . p • thonzed

printed, and particularly to ascertam then- exact contornnty Version.

to the authorized standard. In this work of laborious and
minute investigation, several members of the Committee
voluntarily participated ; and no one embarked in it with
more promptitude, or executed his engagement with more
acuteness and perseverance, than a member of the Society
of Friends, the late Wilson Birkbeck, Esq. This able and
truly excellent individual read the first stereotyped Testament
carefully through, collated it with an edition of established
reputation, and presented, as the result of his researches, a
string of passages (amounting to thirty-six) in which he had
found the stereotyped edition to differ from those in ordinary
use. This list, after being collated with some of the most
approved editions— as that of Blaney, King James, Black-
letter Bible, and the Oxford octavo— was laid before the
Syndics of the University, for them to express their judgment
upon it.

With a view to facilitate the circulation of the Scrip- Bibles at
tures, the prices of English copies were now reduced, to sub- price,
scribers, twenty per cent.* from the original cost, with the
privilege (extended to Life Members and Life Governors) of
purchasing, at the reduced price, to the amount of five guineas,
for every guinea annually subscribed. In the case of the
Welsh Scriptures, the reduction was undefined and dis-
cretionary ; and, with a view to afford still greater accommo-
dation to the circumstances of the subscribers, the Welsh
Ministers of every religious denomination, whether sub-
scribers or not, were allowed to purchase, at the regulated
prices, for the use of their respective congregations. This
gratuitous privilege was founded on the conviction that the
* Afterwards made twenty-five per cent.

32 HISTORY OF THE

Home, inhabitants of the Principality stood peculiarly in need of such
Ciilv. II. accommodation.

— At the same time the doors were liberally thrown open to

applications from all Societies and benevolent individuals
in any part of the British empire, whose object was in any
measure identified with that of the Society, and whose exertions
were directed to the dissemination of the Holy Scriptures. On
this principle, copies were furnished at cost prices to the Dublin
*' Association," and the Dublin "Bible Society," in order to
enlarge their means of doing good in their several depart-
ments ; while to individuals in that kingdom, who had been
accredited as zealously and disinterestedly employed in pro-
moting the education of children, and the moral improve-
ment of the poor, accommodation was afforded, according
to the circumstances of the applicants, and the nature
and extent of the services in which they were respectively
engaged.
Supply of In August 1806, a resolution was taken on behalf of felons
foTprr-*^^ and other prisoners, applicable, in the first instance, to the
sons. Ho- prisons of the metropolis ; but measures were soon after
adopted to ascertain and supply the want of the Holy
Scriptures in the several workhouses, hospitals, and jails
throughout the kingdom ; and this department of service has
ever continued to exercise the sympathy of the Society, and to
receive a full share of its attention.

The first donation of Testaments was to the convicts at
Woolwich, about 800 in number at that time, by whom they
were received so cordially as to afford much encouragement
to proceed. *' Never," declared the officer who was engaged
in the distribution of them, " was I witness to books given or
received with more apparent satisfaction.*

Nor were the continued exertions for the supply of the pri-
soners of war pursued with less vigour, or attended with infe-
rior success. The consequence of the eager reception given
to the Scriptures by these unhappy foreigners was, that far-
ther and large editions of the New Testament, both in Spanish

* This officer, Lieut. Coxe, almost from that period devoted himself
entirely to this particular work, chiefly in connection with the Merchant
Seamens' Auxiliary, when that Institution was formed.

spitals, &c.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 33

and French, were put to press, so that the Society might have HOME,
a sufficient number ready for any emergency. Calv. II.

The following animated and affecting description of the —
manner in which the first distribution was made, and of the
impression which attended it, was furnished, at this time, by a
correspondent. " It is impossible," he writes, " to give you an
adequate description of the anxiety that was manifested by the
poor Spaniards to get possession of a Testament. Many sought
copies with tears and earnest entreaties ; and although I had
nearly enough for them all, yet it was with difficulty that they
were pacified, until they received from my hand the word of
eternal life : since which I have witnessed the most pleasing
sight that my eyes ever beheld — nearly a thousand poor Spanish
prisoners, sitting round the prison walls, reading the word of
God with an apparent eagerness that would have put many
professing Christians to the blush." Copies of the Spanish
Testament having been largely distributed among the prisoners
of that nation, steps were taken without delay for preparing a
second and more numerous impression. . Inquiries were also
promoted into the state of the prisoners of war generally ; and
the following account of the state of the prison-ships, and of
Mill-prison at Plymouth, will show the call there was for the
Society's bounty.

" Of 5178 French prisoners, about 2820 could read, of whom
about 2410 were desirous of having Testaments ;" and "of 1700
Spanish prisoners, abovit 1200 could read, and 800 of them
were desirous of having Testaments."

In the course of this year a commmiication was received Propasals
from Dr. Buchanan, then in India, consisting of "Proposals for Omnta"^
translating the Scriptures into the Oriental languages" by the trausla-
Missionaries at Serampore ; and these were accompanied with
a recommendation from himself, to the effect, that a sermon
should be preached before the Society, "on the subject of
Oriental translations." To this suggestion he generously ap-
pended the offer of £50 to the preacher of the sermon, on a
printed copy of it being supplied for the college of Fort Wil-
liam, in Bengal.

This incident, though relating rather to the Society's foreign
transactions, is introduced here for the sake of noticing; the

HISTORY OF THE

HOME.
Chap. II.

Attack on
the diffu-
sion of the
.Scriptures
in India.

course adopted by tlie Committee in regard to the sermon.
Dr. Bnclianan's proposition was at first acceded to, and Mr.
Owen was requested to become the preacher. It was, how-
ever, on further consideration, unanimously agreed, that as
the measure did not fall strictly within the professed ob-
ject of the Society, and might open a door to practical irre-
gularities, it would not be expedient to sanction its adoption.
The generous offer of Dr. Buchanan was in consequence de-
clined— a further instance of the watchful jealousy with which
the Society's counsels were, in its earliest days, conducted.

India having been adverted to, we may here, also, refer
to a question which at first assumed a formidable aspect,
and which, though relating to the British empire in
the East, yet, as it was chiefly agitated in this country,
and implicated the Society's administration at home, may
be fitly included in this portion of the history. In Octo-
ber 1807, a pamphlet appeared mider the title of " A Letter
to the Chairman of the East-India Company, on the danger
of interfering in the religious opinions of the natives of
India, and on the views of the British and Foreign Bible
Society, as directed to India." The writer, Thomas Twining,
Esq., a gentleman of great respectability, who had recently
returned from Bengal, expressed "infinite concern and alarm"
at having heard of " proceedings," showing a " strong disposi-
tion" to "interfere in the religious opinions of the native
inhabitants of India." These " proceedings," so far as the
Society was concerned, it need scarcely be said, consisted only
of proposed measures to print and circulate the Sacred Scrip-
tures in the languages of India. As the pamphlet produced
considerable sensation, and seemed likely to strengthen a party
already hostile to the Society's operations in British India,
and as notice had been given of an intention to bring the
subject before the Court of Proprietors, Mr. Owen, at the
suggestion of Lord Teignmouth, hastened to prepare a reply,*
in which he chiefly confines himself to a defence of the
Society itself on the ground of the simplicity of its object.

On the 23d of December, the Court of Proprietors met at

* Address to the Chairman of the East-India Company, occasioned by
Mr. Twinina-'s letter.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 35

the India House ; but the subject having excited extraordinary HOME,
attention among religious persons of different persuasions, Mr. {-„ ~ jj
Twining found so little encouragement to expect a favourable —
issue to his motion, that he declined proposing it, and the
Court accordingly adjourned. Lord Teignmouth, the Presi-
dent, afterwards presented to the public a more enlarged view
of the whole subject, in a pamphlet entitled, " Considerations
on the practicabilitj, policy, and obligation of communicating
to the natives of India the knowledge of Christianity, witli
observations on a pamphlet published by Major Scott Waring,"
a gentleman who had come forward to support the opinions
expressed by Mr. Twining. The Bishop of London also
published, anonymously, " A few cursory remarks on Mr.
Twining's letter." After a short time, this storm, which had
darkened the Society's horizon, and had portended great dan-
ger to its labours in the East, passed away, and the Society,
which had, itself, in its collective capacity, taken no share in
the controversy, was again left to pursue its course in peace.*

Among the numerous objects at home, which during this
year engaged the attention of the Society, was that of printing
the Scriptures in the Arabic language. So many difficulties,
however, presented themselves at this time, in the attempt to
obtain a satisfactory version, that the measure was, after re-
peated examination and extensive correspondence, postponed.

In the mean time, the editions of the Scriptures in Welsli
and Gaelic, which were now completed, were eagerly sought
for, and most gratefully received. The joy of the Welsh pea-
santry on obtaining a supply of the long looked-for treasure
has been already adverted to. Similar emotions of delight Eager re-
were manifested by the Highlanders of Scotland, both ministers ^[/e^sCTi"-
and people, on learning that the Gaelic Scriptures had been pre- lures in tlie
pared for their use. One correspondent, who had " 4000 souls '^ ^ '^" "^
under his pastoral charge, among whom he did not suppose
there w^ere a dozen Gaelic Bibles," speaks of the heartfelt grati-
tude with which they hastened to subscribe. Another speaks
of the "anxiety of his people to get the books," and their
"exceeding thankfulness for the opportunity of providing
themselves with the Scriptures in their native mother lan-
* Ovven,Vol. I. pp.324— 362.
D 2

Ireland.

36 HISTORY OF THE

HOME, guage"— a thing long wished for over all the Highlands of
Chap! II. Scotland. Many of the poor Highlanders of Glasgow (writes
— , a third), upon hearing of the cheapness of the Scriptures now
offered to them in their native tongue, " expressed their grati-
tude with tears of joy," remembering that, hitherto, a single
copy of the Bible could not have been purchased by them at
a cost of less than twenty-five shillings. Such was the result
of this first effort of the Society to furnish a cheap and abun-
dant supply of the Gaelic Scriptures, in which not only the
resident Gaelic population, but those also scattered abroad in
distant lands, participated. Five hundred Bibles, and eight
hundred Testaments, were forwarded to Nova Scotia and
Canada, to be distributed among the poor Highlanders in that
part of the world.
Grants to Liberal grants to Ireland, both of money and of books, were
also made this year. In addition to the Society at Dublin— to
which a donation of £100 was given — similar institutions began
to rise up in different parts of Ireland. A Bible Society was
formed at Cork, under the presidency of the Diocesan of that
county, to which the British and Foreign Society contributed
£100, granting also to it the same privilege, in regard to the
purchase of the Scriptures from the University press, as that
enjoyed by the Society. This latter privilege was also granted
to a Bible Committee of the Synod of Ulster. These Socie-
ties were at length, for the most part, amalgamated and united,
under the general designation of the Hibernian Bible Society,
which had its centre in Dublin, and which, though independent,
has ever acted in friendly concert with the British and Foreign
Bible Society, as well as received from it much assistance.

The Sunday Schools of Ireland, from the earliest period
of the Society's labours, have shared largely of its bomity.
Its grants after a time came to be chiefly dispersed through
the medium of tliat useful and important Institution, "The
Sunday- School Society for Ireland," whose frequent, and
never-misuccessful, appeals will often have to be adverted
to in the course of this history. During the year now under
notice, seventy-four Sunday Schools in Ireland, consisting of
about 4000 scholars, received a considerable grant of English
Bibles and Testaments, at half the cost prices.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 37

The question of printing the Scriptures in the native Irish, HOME,
which had been previously mooted, was again considered and cha7 II.
postponed; the information received at that time on the subject —
not appearing sufficient to induce immediate action. Inquiries
were also instituted with regard to the necessity of an edition
of the Sacred Scriptures in the Manx language, for the accom-
modation of the inhabitants of the Isle of Man.

The state of the Continent at this period, owing to the pre-
valence of the war, and the rigid enforcing of the French pro-
hibitory system, though it did not wholly interrupt the So-
ciety's labours, rendered it extremely difficidt to extend them
as rapidly as could have been wished. Hence it became the
more important to seize such means, as were accessible at home,
towards the attainment of this object. Thus, while large edi-
tions of the English and Welsh Scriptures continued to be put
to press, there were added to the impressions already executed
in foreign languages, editions in the Portuguese, Italian, an-
cient and modern Greek, Dutch, and Danish. These were
designed, not only for the numerous individuals, speaking these
languages, found in this country, but for islands and colonies,
which, by the events of war, became subject to the British
Crown.

38 HISTORY OF TllK

CHAPTER III.

THE AUXILIARY SYSTEM FORMED AND EXTENDED; AND

THE (JHIEF ATTACKS ON THE FRINCIPLE OF THE

BIBLE MOVEMENT.

1808—3812.

The Jlrst Auxiliary/, at Heading — Rapid extension of Auxilia-
ries— Advantages of the Auxiliary System — Attack of Dr.
Wordsworth — Reply of Lord Teiynmouth and Rev. W. Deal-
try — Attacks of Dr. Marsh — ^^ Bible and Prayer Book" —
Replies of Dr. E. Clarke and W. Dealtry, and Speech of Rev.
Robert Hall — Attack of Dr. Malthy — ^^ Selections from the
HOME. Bible" — Speech of 3Ir. Hall.

Chap. Ilf. Two events occurred at the period on which we now enter, de-
1JJ08 . serving of special remembrance ; these were the formation of the
first Bible Society (on similar principles with those of the British
Institution), in the United States of North America, and the com-
mencement of the system of Auxiliary Societies in Great Britain.
The Philadelphia Bible Society was formed in December
1808, and led the van in a noble career of biblical operations
in the Western Hemisphere. This Institution will be again

noticed in connection with the American Bible Societv, into
The First i • i r, ^. -, i "^

Auxiliary, wluch, alter a tnue, it merged.

at Reading, Qf the rise and extension of the Auxiliary System, which,
commencing in the year 1809, ultimately spread over the whole
kingdom, we must give a somewhat detailed notice. The
town of Reading gave to this country, and to the world, the
first example of a regular "Auxiliary Bible Society." "Asso-
ciations," contributing in a collective form to the funds of the
Institution, already existed, as has been mentioned, in Glasgow,
London, and Birmingham, to which was afterwards added one
at Bath. Congregational collections also, to a liberal amount,
had been made, as will l)e recollected, in several parts of Scot-
land, and in Wales. Moreover, this year the Weslevan bodv

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 39

presented, through the Rev. Dr. Adam Clarke, an aggregate of HOME.
collections made in the several congregations, amounting to cuipTlII.
the munificent sum of £1300. But an Auxiliary, strictly so —
called, formed on the same principles, and in exclusive connec-
tion with the Parent Society, and having for its sole object the
distribution of the Sacred Scriptures, together with the collection
of funds, did not exist, till the one above mentioned was esta-
l)lished on the 28th of March 1809. Of this first Auxiliary,
the Bishop of Salisbury, the Right Rev. Dr. Burgess, became
the President. In the same month, and only two days later, was
formed " The Bible Society of Nottingham and its vicinity."
From that time these yaluable institutions sprang up, and mvilti-
plied with great rapidity, and, by the efficient aid they rendered,
justified, to the fullest extent, the appellation they bore, —
Auxiliaries of the Parent Society.

The years 1809 and 1810 were distinguished by the establish- Kapid lu-
ment of some of the principal Auxiliaries in the kingdom, AuxUia-
namely, tliose at Newcastle, Falmouth, Leeds, Manchester, '"''^^•
Exeter, Leicester, Kendal, Sheffield, Hull, Bristol, besides
kindred institutions in Scotland* and Ireland.

Several new Auxiliaries were also formed during the fol-
lowing year ; among the most important of which were Liver-
pool, Huddersfield, Cornwall, Montrose. Swansea also took
the lead in introducing the Auxiliary system into Wales, where
every thing tending to the prosperity of the Bible Society cause
has ever found a cordial welcome.

Thus the Society, without neglecting to add to the extent and
variety of its foreign operations, was diligently employed
in augmenting its strength and influence at home. The spirit
of zeal and enthusiasm which had gone forth, continued, in
different parts of the United Kingdom, still further to display
itself, and, in Great Britain alone, fifty-three new Societies,
with their several Branches, were added, in the years 1811-12,
to the number of the Auxiliary Institutions. Of these new
Societies, fourteen comprehended twelve entire counties, and
among them were the Episcopal See of Norwich, and the
University of Cambridge. The total of these Societies now
embraced a large proportion of at least thirty counties ; and
* The Edinbur"h Bible Societv wa.s formed July isdi).

HISTORY OF THE

HOME.

CllAP. II.

1810.

Their de-
mand on
services of
the Secre-
taries.

Their
Constitu-
tion.

among tliein were found places of considerable rank and
population, such as York and Plymouth, Aberdeen and
Halifax, Glasgow * and Bath ; not to mention other towns of
no mean consequence. Their aggregate contributions alone
amounted to nearly £25,000.

The establishment of Auxiliary Societies henceforth drew
largely on the time and efforts of the officers of the Parent
Society. The services of the three Secretaries were in
almost constant requisition ; and God eminently qualified
and assisted them to render these services exceedingly ac-
ceptable and valuable throughout the country. Much aid
also was rendered by numerous other friends of the Insti-
tution, both lay and clerical ; indeed, the amount of talent
and zeal, — of benevolent and devout feeling — of eloquence,
learning, and piety — called forth by these efforts in behalf of
the Society, and willingly and generously consecrated to its
service by Christians of various communions, is not easily to
be conceived of or estimated. Let the praise be not of men,
but of God !

As the formation of these institutions may be regarded as
fixing a new era in the history of the Society, this may be the
place to advert to their general constitution, and to some of the
important advantages derived to the Parent Society, and to
the cause at large, by these affiliated Associations.

In adverting to their constitution, it may be remarked that the
Auxiliaries are expected, not only to recognise the principle on
which the Parent Society is formed, but in practice to be assimi-
lated to it. Hence their attention must be directed exclusively,
and their funds appropriated, to the dissemination of the Canoni-
cal Scriptures alone, without note or comment ; and in their con-
stitution, they must be open to all. Wanting in either of these
particulars, they may indeed render valuable and acceptable aid,
but are not acknowledged as Auxiliaries,! and cannot claim

* The Glasg-ow Auxiliary Bible Society may be considered as the
revival, on a larger scale, of one that previously existed, and which, dating
back as far as July 180.5, appears to have been the first of the kind in the
kingdom. The earlier Institution originated in the benevolent zeal of
David Dale, Esq. of Glasgow.

t See Rules, &c., recommended for adoption; Appendix I, note C,

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY.

any of the privileges to which Auxiliaries, as such, are en- HOME.

t^t^^*^- ^ ^ CiiA^Tni.

The advantages derived from the accession of these Auxi- —
liary Establishments may be summed up chiefly in the two
following; first, the public recognition, and next, the perma- yo'T^'^'
nent support, they yielded to the Parent Institution.

The former was an advantage of no small moment at this

period of the Society's history, when its character was still

subjected to suspicion in some quarters, and its claims directly

impugned. The publicity of the Meetings at which the Recogni-

Auxiliaries were formed ; the consideration, not unfrequently principles

the high rank and station, of the persons under whose direction °^ ^^'^ ^•'^'^
. , . movemeut.

or patronage they were held, mcludmg m some mstances a

large part of the local magistracy, together with several
members of the Aristocracy, the Bishop of the Diocese,
besides resident Clergy, Dissenting Ministers, and others ;
the recorded approval of the object, constitution, and pro-
ceedings of the Parent Society, which usually took place at
the formation of every Auxiliary ; the notification of the en-
tire transaction through channels of general communication ; —
all these circumstances, gave to the Society the benefit of a
deliberate, unequivocal, and wide-spread attestation.

But it was not general approval merely, which the Perma-
formation of Auxiliary Societies secured ; they afforded port/"^^'
also a most efficacious means, by local and combined exertions,
of permanently promoting the great object of the Institution.
Besides assisting to diffuse the Scriptures at home, they had,
by their multiplication and extension, become a principal
source of revenue for carrying on the Society's operations
abroad. The amount received within this year from the
recently-formed Auxiliaries amounted to £6000.

Nor must we omit here to mention the friendly concert esta- Union «{
blished, in carrying out these operations, between ministers and nomina-
members of different religious communions, and between per- t'°°s.
sons of opposite political creeds, as well as others differing widely
from each other in many points ; — a religious unity Avhich
formed no part, strictly, of the Society's original purpose, and
for the success or failui'e of which, therefore, it is not respon-
sible : but yet which sprang out of its original principle, and

HISTORY OF THE

HOME.

Chap. III.

1810.

Local
agency of
Auxilia-
ries.

Patronage
enlisted by
them.

was, as it continues to be, greatly ])ronioted by the simplicity
and oneness of its object. Many gratifying illustrations of
this most beautiful result will have yet to be recorded, in
tracing the progress of the Auxiliary system in the Society's
history.

It is important further to remark, that, in addition to the
advantage derived from their contributions, the Auxiliary
Societies began forthwith to manifest their practical utility,
by active co-operation with the Parent Society in the home-
distribution of the Sacred Scriptures.* It is scarcely necessary
to say how much better qualified they are, both to ascertain
the wants of the poor, and to apportion the degree of supply
in their several districts, than those could have been, who must
have depended for their information in these matters upon
merely written and transmitted statements. In this view, as
well as in the other modes already described, the Auxiliary
Societies showed themselves competent to render essential
service to the object of the Parent Institution ; and it ap-
peared, very early after their formation, that they were
not lightly attentive to this part of their duty. The Bris-
tol Society was able to report, at the expiration of its first
year, a local distribution of Bibles and Testaments to the
amount of 4210, and the Manchester and Salford Society,
of 7034.

One result of the formation of so many Auxiliaries, was
greatly to augment and extend the patronage accorded to the
Society. Thus, those established in the present year, com-
prehended in their List of Patrons, the names of Her Royal
Highness the Princess of Wales; the Dukes of Gloucester,
Bedford, Buccleugh, Grafton, and Manchester ; the Mar-
quisses of Buckingham, Cornwallis, Hertford, and Huntley ;
the Earls of Bristol, Cardigan, Carysfort, Chatham, Coventry,
Derby, Dysart, Glasgow, Hardwicke, Moira, Northesk, Or-
ford, Sandwich, Temple, and Yarmouth ; Viscounts Barnard,
Dudley and Ward, Falmouth, Grimston, Hampden, Hlnchln-
brook, Kirkwall, Milton, and Proby ; Lords Anson, Boston,
liravbrooke, Carrington, Gardner, Grenville, Henniker,

* This remark applies equally, if aol moi'c powerfully, to the A.s.socia-
tions afterwards formed in connection with the Auxiliaries.

1811.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 43

Malione and Riversdale — names altogether new to the Society — HOME.
besides those of its tried Episcopal Patrons, the Bishops of cuap. 1!
Durham, Salisbury, and Norwich ; and many other persons
of distinction, property, and influence.

Many of these Auxiliaries occupied a sphere, and possessed
an influence, or were formed under circumstances, entitling
them to particular consideration. Such was the case with
that formed for the town and county of Bedford, at which the
Duke of Bedford presided; and that for Norwich and the
county of Norfolk, the first Auxiliary at which the Bishop
of the Diocese attended and took a prominent part ; that
at Colchester, formed after much discouragement, and the
failure of a first attempt;* those for Huntingdonshire,
Hertfordshire, Staffordshire, York ; and two Auxiliaries
besides, which must not be passed over without more special
notice, namely, those which were originated at Cambridge and
Liverpool.

The establishment of a Society at Liverpool was, vmder all cir-
cumstances, an event of considerable importance. The rank,
wealth, and commercial influence of this city and port, gave to
the institution of a Bible Society, under the auspices of the
mayor, clergy, and principal inhabitants of the place, no
common interest and effect. It ought to be stated, as reflecting
great credit on the active benevolence of Liverpool, that
though the Society in that place was formed only on the 25th
of March 1811, and under circumstances of great commercial
distress, it was enabled to present to the Parent Society, at its
seventh Anniversary, on the 1st of the following May, the
very liberal contribution of £1800.

The formation of the Cambridge Auxiliary was rendered Cambiidge
memorable by the conspicuous part taken in it by members "'"'^ ^^^^'
of the University, both Seniors and Juniors,| by the ex-
traordinary talent and eloquence called forth at the Meeting
held on the occasion of its institution, and also by the oppo-
sition and controversy to which it gave rise, and which will

* The first President of this Auxiliary was Horatio Cock, Esq., who,
after showing- much interest in the Society during his Hfe, at liis death
bequeathed to it a legacy of £11,695 . 12s. dd.

t See first Report of Cambridge Auxihary.

CuAP. TIL

44 HISTOllY OF THE

HOME, presently be more fully adverted to. The Earl of Hardwicke
presided on the occasion, and the speakers were Dean Milner,
Dr. Clarke, Rev. W. Dealtry, Professor Farish, Rev. C. Simeon,
and other distinguished persons. The Society may be said to
Its inter- have originated in the zeal of some of the Junior Members and
cidents. the Undergraduates, stimulated not a little by a Sermon
preached before the University by the Rev. C. Simeon.
These parties, however, in a manner which did them great
honour, retired, with much gracefulness and self-denial, from
acting a prominent part, perfectly satisfied when the cause was
undertaken by the University, the County, and the Town.*
Thus the Society, advancing from small and scarcely
Gradual perceptible beginnings, had already attained an extension
SeSodet"/. ^^^^ importance, which could not JFail to give it considera-
tion in the eyes of mankind. The difl:erent portions of the
United Kingdom had recognised it with approbation, and sup-
ported it with liberality. Establishments had arisen for the
promotion of its object in three important stations on the Euro-
pean continent. Its excellence and utility had been proclaimed
in India, and plans were forming there for bringing its opera-
tions to bear on the ignorance, superstition, and idolatry of the
East. A footing had been obtained for it on the territories of
the American States, and its entrance on the Western Hemi-
sphere had been marked by all the signs and presages of
prosperity and triumph. Its resources were considerable, as
its works had been numerous ; and there was every thing in
its condition, both as it respected its domestic and its foreign
connections, to justify what may be regarded as the dying tes-
timony of the venerable Bishop Porteus,t that " it was rising
uniformly in reputation and credit ; gaining new accessions of
strength and revenue, and attaching to itself more and more

* A high testimony was borne by Dean Mihier, Mr. Simeon, Dr.
Jowett, and Professor F'arish to the conduct of the young men, ahke
creditable to all jiarties.

t The Bishop died, May 14, 1809. It may be truly said, in the words of
Mr. Owen, that " In this event the Society had to regret the loss of a zealous
Patron ; the Church of England an exemplaiy Prelate, and the cause of
Christianity a most active, vigilant and lil)eral benefactor," See Owen,
Vol. I. p. 424:. For an interesting accomit of Mr. Owen's last interview
with the Bishop, see ib. pp. 4i*t)— 4'i8,

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 45

tlie approbation and support of every real friend to the church, HOME,
and to religion." ^ ^ 011x^111.

In the course of the preceding year, the first edition of the —
Irish Scriptures^ consisting of 2000 copies of the New Testament,
in a text conformed to the accredited version of Bishop Bedell,
was ordered to press. This measure was adopted after a dis-
cussion, alternately suspended and renewed during a period of
nearly five years, and a correspondence of considerable extent
with prelates, scholars, and public bodies in Ireland.

Another opportunity was at this time afforded of testifying the The Com-
Committee's vigilant and zealous regard for the simple object ciine aid to
of the institution. An application was received from the re- ^^y™?^^
spectable body of the Moravian brethren for aid in printing a pels.
Harmony of the Gospels in the Esquimaux language, a form of
printing the Scriptures in general practice among the brethren.
To this an objection was taken, on the ground that any devia-
tion from the mode of exhibiting the Scriptures, as they stand
in the Canon, would be a deviation from the letter and spirit
of the Institution. A similar exception had previously been
taken against printing the Calmuc in this form. Nor has the
Society ever departed from the principle there laid down, in
regard to "Harmonies."

We have now to call attention to a series of attacks on the Attacks ou
Society, which, as they were directed against the fundamental theSociety.
principle of its operations, and elicited the more emphatic vin-
dication of that principle, require special notice at this stage of
the Society's history.

In the spring of 1810, a pamphlet appeared against the Dr. Words-
Society, which gave occasion to a vexatious and protracted ^^^^^5^^,^
controversy. It was entitled " Reasons for declinmg to become Society de-
a Subscriber to the British and Foreign Bible Society, stated t"uie"*'^
in a letter to a Clergyman of the Diocese of London, by C. Christian
Wordsworth, D.D., Dean and Rector of Bocking, and Do- Society^."^^
mestic Chaplain to his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury."
It was written under the alleged apprehension, that the Bible
Society would interfere with and damage the Christian Know-
ledge Society, and thus " impede and curtail the inestimable
interests of piety, and peace, and true religion ;" the preser-
vation and continual promotion of which were, it was stated,

46 HISTORY OF THE

HOME, eminently the object and aim of the ktter Society. This ap-
ChapTiiI. prehension, Hke many otlier prognostications respecting the
— Society, time has shown to have been ill-fomided and imaginary.
Tlie little jealousies which, perhaps at first not unnaturally, were
awakened by the novel character and rapid growth of the new
Society, have happily long since passed away ; a better under-
standing has been established ; and the two Societies are now
found reciprocating friendly offices, and mutually co-operating
in the object common to both.
Replies by To the above pamphlet Lord Teignmouth replied, con-
momh^and ^"'"S himself to what appeared to his Lordship the real
others. ground of Dr. Wordsworth's objection: "That the Bible So-
ciety withdrew from the Christian Knowledge Society funds
which Vv'ould otherwise have been appropriated to its support."
Shortly after the publication of Lord Teignmouth's reply,
"a spirited and ingenious letter, addressed to the Rev.
Dr. Wordsworth, by William Dealtry, M.A., Fellow of
Trinity College, and Examining Chaplain to the Lord Bi-
shop of Bristol, introduced to the public a writer, to whose
promptitude, acuteness, and constancy, in defending and
vindicating the cause of the Listitution, the friends of the
British and Foreign Bible Society were under the greatest
obligations. Mr. Dealtry had been a college-associate, and
was still the personal friend, of Dr. Wordsworth. He had
therefore to balance between private feeling and a sense of
public duty. It is not saying too much of Mr. Dealtry (and
more could not be said of any man), that he sacrificed neither
to the other, but so fulfilled the obligations of friendship, as at
the same time to satisfy those of aftection."*

A second pamphlet by Dr. Wordsworth, in defence of
his former one, afterwards appeared, which was replied
to by the Rev. W. Dealtry, in a volume entitled, "A
Vindication of the British and Foreign Bible Society," &c.,
in which, in a very able manner, he enters fully into an
examination of all the points introduced and commented
upon by Dr. Wordsworth, illustrating his arguments by nu-
merous facts and statements collected from the documents
of the Society, and other sources, leaving nothing unnoticed
* Owen, Vol. I. p. 481.

1811.

BUITISII AND FOREIGX BIBLE SOCIETY. 47

that could give to his able work the character of a com] )lete HOME,
vindication. An eloquent and conciliatory pamphlet, on the qh^^j]\
same subject, was also written by the Rev. W. Ward, Rector
of Myland, near Colchester, under the anonymous designation
of " An Old Friend to the Society for Promoting Christian
Knowledge." The triumphant defence which the Society ob-
tained, from the exertions of these distinguished advocates,
contributed not a little to elevate the spirits of those on whom
the toil and the responsibility of conducting its affairs officially
devolved. Here the controversy closed, so far as Dr. Words-
worth was concerned ; not, however, without proving of emi-
nent benefit to the Society, by making, not only its existence,
but its principles and operations, more extensively and advan-
tageously known.

Just as measures were being taken for forming the Auxi- Attack by
liary Society at Cambridge, above alluded to, there appeared
"An Address to the Senate," by the Rev. Dr. Marsh, Margaret
Professor of Divinity, in which he contrasted the British and
Foreign Bible Society with the Society for Promoting Christian
Knowledge, and contended that the latter was entitled to ex-
clusive encouragement and support, at least by members of the
Church of England. After comparing the constitution of the two
Societies, and their respective objects, the Professor contends
that "the encouragement of the ancient Bible Society must con-
tribute to the welfare of the Established Church ; while the en-
couragement of the modern Society, not only would contribute
nothing to it in preference to other churches, but might contri-
bute even to its dissolution."

To this "Address" a "Reply" was produced by the Right
Hon. N. Vansittart (afterwards Lord Bexley), of which 1000
copies were printed, and, on the recommendation of His Royal
Highness the Duke of Gloucester, Chancellor of the University,
distributed among the persons assembled at the formation of
the Auxiliary. In this reply, which contains, within a small
compass, a clear and satisfactory refutation of the charges ad-
vanced by the learned Professor against the principle and ten-
dency of the institution, were found those memorable words, so
wortliy of the future President of the Bible Society : " If we
cannot reconcile all opinions, let usendeavour to unite all hearts."

1812.

48 HISTORY OF THE

HOME. In the month of January following, Dr. Marsh brought out
CuapTiii. another and more elaborate work against the Society, entitled
*'An Inquiry into the consequences of neglecting to give the
Prayer Book with the Bible, interspersed with remarks on
Another some late speeches at Cambridge, and other important matter
" That the relative to the British and Foreign Bible Society."
SE' The grounds on which the Professor had in his "Address " ob-
tributed jected to the Society, were miscellaneous : that which he took in
the "Inquiry" was simply — the distribution of the Bible alone.
After dwelling at large on the excellence of the Liturgy,
and maintaining, as well from history as from argument, that
the Liturgy is essential to the welfare of the Establishment;
he proceeds to take credit to himself, for doing what he thinks
other writers had failed to do, namely, for pointing out the
danger arising to the Established Church, from the practice of
neglecting to give the Prayer Book with the Bible.
Replies by Replies to this publication were speedily furnished by Dr.
Clarke, &c. E. Clarke, Mr. Dealtry, Mr. Otter, and Mr. Vansittart. The
Rev. C. Simeon, also in the preface to his "Four Sermons on
the Liturgy," defended himself and the clerical members of the
Society against the accusations implied or expressed in the
Professor's pamphlet. In April 1812, Dr. Marsh brought out
a pamphlet, entitled "A History of Translations, &c., com-
posed chiefly with a view of ascertaining in how many lan-
guages the British and Foreign Bible Society has been
the means of preachhig the Gospel ;" and, as a sequel to this,
"An Answer to Mr. Vansittart's second letter." The object
of the first of the above pamphlets was to disparage the
Society, by attempting to invalidate what the writer presumed
to be its claims in regard to the work of translations, in which,
however, there was so much of misrepresentation, and manifest
ill-will, that a direct refutation was not deemed necessary. To
the latter pamphlet, as it professed to gather up and refute all
the arguments brought forward by different parties in favour
of the Society, a reply was prepared and issued by the Rev.
Mr. Otter (afterwards Bishop of Chichester), who had become
himself involved in the attack of Dr. Marsh, in consequence of
the part he had taken in support of the Society. The Rev.
Robert Hall also, in a very argumentative and eloquent speech.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 49

at the second anniversary of the Leicester Auxiliary, fur- HOME.

nished what was regarded as a decisive and masterly refu- ciiap~III

tation, of Dr. Marsh's leading objection— the circulation of the —

Bible alone.*

On this question, which, on account of the general con- Speech of

sent existing on the subiect among Protestants, has been but ^^"l; ?■•

«= , . . . Hall in re-

rarely forced into formal discussion, the argument is presented ply.

by Mr. Hall in so conclusive and yet condensed a form, that

we cannot refrain from placing a brief extract from his speech

before our readers.

"For my part," ^Ir. Hall remarks, "I am at an utter loss to
conceive of a revelation from heaven that must not he trusted
alone ; of a rule of life and manners which, in the same breath, is
declared to be perfect, and yet so obscure and incompetent, that
its tendency to mislead shall be greater than its tendency to con-
duct in the right path ; of a fountain of truth (and the only ori-
ginal fountain, as our opponents themselves allow) more calcu-
lated, when left to its silent operation, to send forth bitter waters
than sweet. If these must appear to a candid and impartial
mind untenable and contradictory propositions, then must the
chief objections of our opponents fall to the ground, and their
prognostics of danger from the operations of the Bible Society
be pronounced chimerical and unfounded. Whoever weighs
the arguments of our opponents must be convinced that the}'
all turn upon the following supposition — that the Scriptures
are so ambiguous and obscure, that, when left to themselves,
they are more likely to generate error than truth, to foment
division than to produce unanimity and agreement. If this
implies no reflection on the excellence of the Bible, and the
wisdom of its Divine Author, what, I will ask, can imply such
a reflection ? And if this be not admitted, how is it possible
for a moment to entertain a scruple respecting the propriety
of giving them the most extensive circulation.
* * * *

" What is the reason that the Scriptures may not be trusted
alone ? ' Why,' say our opponents, ' they are liable to be
misinterpreted, and wrested to countenance the respective

* Mr. Owen remarks, that nowhere is the above objection so thoroughly
sifted, and so ably refuted, as in this speech.
E

HISTORY OF THE

HOME.

Chap. III.

1812.

Sermon of
" Catholic
Priest" in
favour of
Dr. Marsh's
principle.

opinions and practices of different sects and parties.' Be it so :
we admit this to be possible ; but what remedy can be devised
to obviate this evil ? Is their use to be entirely proscribed ?
' No,' say our opponents ; ' but they must be invariably ac-
companied by another book, which may be considered in the
light of an authorized commentary.' But, we would ask
again, are we to judge of this commentary ; or are we to re-
ceive it simply on the ground of authority, and upon the
principle of implicit faith ; or is any exercise of private judg-
ment permitted to us ? If it be replied that it is not, this
is neither more nor less than open and barefaced popery. If
the judgment is to be exerted at all, and every thing is not
to be taken upon trust, their commentary must be judged
of by some criterion, and what can that be but the Scriptures ?
The Scriptures must then, after all, be appealed to before it is
possible to determine on the correctness of the commentary ;
and thus we are led back to the precise point from which we
set out, that is, the examination of the Scriptures. According
to the views of our opponents, we are either to admit the
principle of implicit faith to its utmost extent, which is open
and avowed popery ; or we are first to interpret the Scriptures
by the commentary, and then judge of the commentary by
the Scriptures. Let it once be admitted that the Sacred
Volume is the only standard of truth, and the only infallible
directory in practice, and it will necessarily follow that all
other modes of instruction must be tried by it ; and conse-
quently that every other idea of giving it a corrective or a
companion — call it which you please — must be futile and
absurd."*

This controversy, after sleeping some time, was on a sudden
revived by a singular incident. In December 1812, a publica-
tion appeared, imder the title of "A Congratulatory Letter to
the Rev. H. Marsh, D. D., on his judicious inquiry into the
consequences of neglecting to give the Prayer-book with the
Bible ; together with a Sermon, on the inadequacy of the Bible
to be an exclusive Rule of Faith, inscribed to the same, by the
Rev. Peter Gandolphy, Priest of the Catholic Church."

To this extraordinary and unwelcome congratulation, after
* Hall's Works, Vol. IV. p. 368.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 51

satisfying himself that it was not a mere "pasquinade," Dr, HOME.
Marsh hastened to reply, disclaiming the intention ascribed to q^ ~ttt
him by the Roman Catholic priest, of giving up the vital prin- —
ciple of Protestantism, and defending himself from the charge. ^'

A rejoinder quickly appeared, in which the Catholic priest
contends, that though the Professor did not say in terms that
" true religion cannot be found in the Bible," yet that the prin-
ciple advanced and argued upon by him, leads directly and
legitimately to such a conclusion.

The publications of Dr. Marsh continuing to be circulated
with industry, and appealed to and recommended with confi-
dence, Dr. Milner, Dean of Carlisle, in the spring of 1813,
gave to the public a volume, under the title of "Strictures on
some of the publications of the Rev. H. Marsh, D.D., intended
as a reply to his objections against the British and Foreign
Bible Society." These strictures drew forth from the learned
Professor another " letter," in which, after a short reply, he
takes leave of the controversy."*

In the summer of 1812, when some of the pamphlets of Dr. Attack by
Marsh, already alluded to, were coming into circulation, a new by— "that
opponent of the Bible Society, appeared in the person of the Bible
Dr. Maltby.f His predecessor in the field had contended, that but^ed'en""
in giving the Bible alone, the Society had given too little. *'^^^-"
The object of this assailant was to prove, that in so doing the
Society gave too much. He contends that " out of sixty-six
books, which form the contents of the Old and New Testa-
ment, not above seven in the Old, nor above eleven in the
New, appear to be calculated for the study or comprehension
of the unlearned."

Against this attack, which threatened to reduce the Bible,
in the hands of the common people, to less than one third of
its former dimensions, the British and Foreign Bible Society,
or rather Christianity itself, was ably defended by the Rev. J.
W. Cunningham, Vicar of Harrow, a gentleman from whose

* For a fuller, and spirited account, of this important controversy, see
Owen's History, Vol. II. Parts II. and III.

t " Thoughts on the Utility and Expediency of the plans of the British
and Foreig-n Bible Society," by E. Maltby, D.D. &c., afterwards Bishop
of Durham.

E 2

1812.

spec
Mr. Hall

52 HISTORY OF THE

HOME, eloquent exertions on many occasions the Britisli and Foreign
Chap!^ Ill, Bible Society has reaped eminent advantages.

The topic was also referred to in a speech of the Rev. R.
Hall, from which, for reasons similar to those given in the
former instance, we subjoin an extract.

** To give the (whole) Bible to all classes and descriptions,
1^ reply'' without note or comment, is represented by some as a dan-
gerous experiment, adapted to perplex and mislead uncul-
tivated minds. Excellent as the Scriptures are allowed
to be, some preparation, it is asserted, is necessary ere they
are communicated in their full extent ; and that the best use
that can be immediately made of them is to compose and dis-
tribute such selections and abridgments as seem best calculated
for popular instruction.

*' That some portions of the Sacred Volume are of more
universal interest than others ; that the New Testament, for
example, has a more immediate relation to our prospects and
to our duties, than the Old, is freely conceded; just as one
star differs from another star in glory, though they are all
placed in the same firmament, and are the work of the same
hand. But to this restrictive system, this jealous policy,
which would exclude a part of the word of God from uni-
versal inspection and perusal, we feel insuperable objections ;
nor are we disposed to ascribe to any description of men
whatever, that control over divine communications which
such a measure implies. We are persuaded that no man
possesses a right to curtail the gifts of God, or to deal
out with a sparing hand what was intended for universal
patrimony. If the manner in which revelation was imparted
be such as makes it manifest that it was originally de-
signed for the benefit of all, we are at a loss to conceive
how any man can have a right, by his interference, to render
it inaccessible.

" The question itself, whether it was designed *to be com-
municated to mankind at large without distinction, or to a
particular class, with a discretionary power of communicating
it at such times and in such proportions as they might deem
fit, can only be determined by itself. If it bear decisive
indications of its being intended for private custody, — if it be

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 53

found to affirm, or even to insinuate, that it is not meant for HOHE.
universal circulation, — we must submit to hold it at the dis- ChapTiII.
cretion of its legitimate guardians, and to accept, with be- --
coming gratitude, such portions as they are pleased to bestow.
From the word of God there can be no appeal : it must
decide its own character, and determine its own pretensions.
Thus much we must be allowed to assume; that if it was
originally given to mankind indiscriminately, no power upon
earth is entitled to restrict it ; because, on the supposition
which we are now making, since every mans original right in
it was equal, that right can be cancelled by no authority but
that which bestowed it. If it was at first promulgated under
the character of a universal standard of faith and practice, we
are bound to recognise it in that character ; and every attempt
to alter it, to convert into private what was originally public
property, or to make a monopoly of a universal grant, is an
act of extreme presumption and impiety. It is to assume a
superiority over revelation itself."

After reviewing successive portions of the Sacred Writings,
in order to determine the question as to their original un-
restricted publicity, Mr. Hall proceeds: "Thus it appears,
from a rapid induction of particulars, that the Bible is a
common property, over which there is no human control ;
that, as " all Scripture is given by inspiration of God," so
it is all " profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correc-
tion, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God
may be perfect, throughly furnished for every good word and
work."*

One consequence of these repeated attacks on the Society The ulti-
was, to excite a deeper interest in its behalf, and at the same "^^^^^ |f°
time to make its distinctive principles more widely and intelli- these at-
gently known. This result was also further promoted by
the system which came now to be adopted, of selecting such
speeches, addresses, or other compositions, advocating the
claims of the Bible Society, as were considered to be popular
and impressive, and dispersing them, not at the expense of
the Society, but by means of a private subscription, in those
circles which required to be excited to effort, or to be fortified,
* Hall's Works, Vol. IV. \\ :384.

54 HISTORY OF THE

HOME, in their attachment to the Society and its principles, against
CiiapT III. ^^'^^ influence of sophistry and misrepresentation. This plan

18U

was devised, and chiefly conducted, by Richard Phillips, Esq.,
a member of the Society of Friends.

In conclusion we may remark, that the controversies re-
ferred to in this chapter were not afterwards revived, except
to a very limited and unimportant extent. It would seem that
the several questions then at issue, were discussed with so
much ingenuity and ability, that little remained to be said, or
at least, that little more was required to be said, on either side.
The Society, was no loser by the conflict; while to the
cause of truth in general the result was a positive gain : for
the principles discussed were fundamental principles, affect-
ing not simply the character and well-being of a particular
Society, but the integrity and supremacy of Divine revelation
itself, and the right of every one to its free use and enjoyment.
The very able elucidation and defence of these principles,
which the controversy called forth, could not fail to be of ser-
vice at the time, and conferred on the whole Christian commu-
nity, more than an ephemeral benefit, by placing in so clear
a light the claims of divine truth to an unrestricted and uni-
versal promulgation.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 55

CHAPTER IV.

GENERAL PROGRESS OF THE SOCIETY — JUVENILE AND

FEMALE BIBLE ASSOCIATIONS.

1812—1814.

Increasing Demand for English Scriptures — 3Ieti'opoUtan Auxi-
liaries— Visit of Dr. Steinkopff to the Continent — Juvenile and
Female Bible Associations — Dr. Chalmers' Address — Safe
and heneficial tendency of Bible Associations.

We now return to the transactions of the Society : The in- HOME,
creasing demand for the English Scriptures, created in great cqaJ^iv.
part by the claims of the new Auxiliaries, rendered it necessary —
to have recourse to extraordinary expedients, in order to keep
up the requisite supply. The two Universities lent their co-
operation by adding to the number of their presses, and His
Majesty's Printers also were at this time induced to put into
exercise the powers of their patent ; and these have ever since
been largely and satisfactorily employed in the service of the
Society.*

This augmented demand for the English Scriptures was sti- Demand
mulated by the discoveries successively made of the want of gJ^Sres!
them existing in a degree that could hardly have been con-
ceived. It was now that a statistical inquiry, instituted by
the Bishop of Durham, through the agency of his parochial
clergy, brought out the fact, that there were 6026 families in
his diocese destitute of a Bible ; and a moderate calculation,
on the authority of the Norwich and Norfolk Auxiliary,
justified the supposition that there were at least 10,000 fami-
lies in that county in the same truly lamentable condition.

For the purpose of further ascertaining, and supplying more
fully, these local wants, M'hich were shown to be so much larger
than had been anticipated, the establishment of Branch So-
cieties and Bible Associations was recommended. Clergymen

* These are the three authorized sources from which the Eiij,^lish
Scriptures are obtained in this country, and from which alone those cir-
culated by the Society are obtained.

56 HISTORY OF THE

HOME, also, and Dissenting Ministers, were invited to form Associations
Chap. IV. ill tlieir respective splieres ; and tlie same encouragements
~ Avere held out to them as to the Auxiliaries. They were au-
thorized to receive Bibles and Testaments for distribution to
the amount of one half of any congregational collection they
might make and transmit within the year.
Increase of In proof that the Society was taking deeper root in the
lies. affections of the public, may be mentioned the fact, that

this year exhibited an addition of seventy-five, to the num-
ber of the Auxiliaries, and an advancement of the Society's
income, through that channel, from £24,813 to £55,099.
The Hibernian Society also augmented its Branches from eight
to thirty-five. Many of these new Societies were of a very
interesting character.

Under the patronage of the Bishop of St. David's, the
counties of Carmarthen and Pembroke, and the town of
Aberystwith, in Cardiganshire, wath a return of nearly £1 100,
were added to the contributory counties in South- Wales;
while, in the northern division of the Principality, the comities
of Merioneth, Carnarvon, and Anglesea, under the patronage
of Sir Watkin Williams Wynne, Bart., and the Earl of Ux-
bridge, (afterwards Marquis of Anglesea,) together with cer-
tain places of inferior importance, united themselves to the
general Association, with contributions exceeding, in the ag-
gregate, £2500.

Of the remaining British Auxiliaries, eleven were established
for entire counties ; viz. for those of Chester, Fife and Kin-
ross, Gloucester, Kent, Northampton, Perth, Rutland, Somer-
set, Surrey, and Wilts ; several for cities, or districts of great
consideration ; and eight for the central position of London
and Southwark.

Metropoli- The Auxiliary Societies of the Metropolis, from their pecu-
tan Aux- ... , . -^ . i i f • •

iliaries, liarity and nnportance, requu'e to be treated ot as constitutmg

a separate class, distinct from either the County or District

Societies.
South- The Southwark Society was formed on the 3d of June 1812,

^^^ ' under the Presidency of the Earl of Rothes, who delivered

his sentiments on the general subject, from the Chair, with

much clearness, liberality, and decision.

1812.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 57

Among the steps preparatoiy to the establishment of this HOME.
Society, was an inquiry into the local circumstances of the chapTiV.
poor, as to the want of the Scriptures among them ; and the
following result of a partial and indiscriminate examination
was given, as a fair criterion of the state of the district, con-
taining a population of nearly 150,000 souls.

"In 925 families, comprising 4508 individuals, 2745 can
read, and only 395 have Bibles and Testaments. Of the 530
families who are thus destitute of the Holy Scriptures, more
than 400 expressed a strong desire to possess them ; many of
whom professed a willingness to pay for them, so far as their
very limited means would admit: 14 of those families had
never seen a Bible ; and about 60 are Roman Catholics, a large
proportion of whom are extremely desirous of copies."

On the basis furnished by this and corresponding repre-
sentations, the proposed Institution was accordingly formed.
So sanguine were its Committee in their prospects, that they
ventured to assert, in their Address at its formation, that
though not the first in point of time, it wcruld be second to
none in diligence, ardour, and generosity. A return of £2832.
19^. 2c?., within the year, followed up, as it was, by a pro-
gressive increase both of activity and contribution, compels
us to admit that the assertion was fully justified, and the pledge
redeemed.

Scarcely had the Southwark Auxiliary Society been esta- City of
blished, when measures were taken to effect a similar
Institution for the City of London. For a considerable
time previously, some friends of the cause had united their
councils, with a view to produce such a distribution of the
Metropolis, as might lead to the establishment of a system
of productive and efficient Auxiliary Societies within its pre-
cincts and immediate vicinity. Among those who took the
lead in these provisional deliberations, were the Rev. Josiah
Pratt, Richard Phillips, Benjamin Neale, and Gurney Barclay,
Esqrs., together with Major (afterwards Colonel) Handfield,
and Captain (afterwards Major) Close. The result of their
labours, in which they were assisted with advice and co-
operation from various quarters, was a determination to
insulate the City of London, and to divide the remaining

jondou.

1812.

58 HISTORY OF THE

HOME, territory in such a manner as a consideration of local circmn-
CiiApTlV. stances should appear to recommend.

In consequence of this decision, the requisite arrangements
were made for carrying the first part of the design into exe-
cution, and the City of London Auxiliary Bible Society was
formed, on August 6, 1812, at a Public Meeting in the
Egyptian Hall of the Mansion House, the Right Hon. the
Lord Mayor, Sir Claudius Stephen Hunter, Bart., in the
Chair.*
Other Me- The City of London Auxiliary Society having been thus
AuxUia^"^ successfully established, active preparations were made for
ries. covering the ground by which this central Society was nearly

surrounded, with similar Auxiliary Institutions. On the 28th
of August 1812, the plan concerted for this purpose was
issued and distributed. It contained an arrangement for six
Societies ; viz. the Westminster, the North-West London, the
Bloomsbury and South Pancras, the North London and
Islington, the North-East London, and the East London ; and
was accompanied by a topographical chart, on which the
limits of each Society were accurately delineated. Pro-
visional Committees had been constituted within these several
divisions ; and at the Meeting which definitively settled the
plan for distributing the metropolis in the manner described,
an aggregate Committee, consisting of the Secretaries of the
different Provisional Committees, together with Gurney Bar-
clay, Esq., Major Handfield, the Rev. Josiah Pratt, and Mr.
Joseph Tarn, Avere charged with the duty of carrying the
objects of the plan into effect.

On the 15th of October 1812, the East-London Auxiliary
Society was formed, and the establishment of others followed,
as their preparations were respectively completed ; the West-
minster on the 17th of December, the North London and
Islington on the 19th, the Bloomsbury and South Pancras
on the 25th of February, the North-East on the 16th, and the
North- West on the 18th of March 1813.
Patronage The patronage acquired by these Societies comprehended
Auxnfi- ^^^ inconsiderable proportion of the rank, and opulence, and
ries. talent, which are to be found, either occasionally or regularly,

* For iuterestiny notices of this Meeting', «ee Owen, Vol. II. p. 330.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 59

witliin the precincts of the metropolis. At the head of those HOME,
who thus became- connected with the British and Foreign cjj^~iy
Bible Society, must be placed their Royal Highnesses the —
Dukes of York, Kent, Cumberland, Sussex, and Cambridge ;
and to these high and honourable names might be added a
numerous list of noblemen, public functionaries, and com-
moners of the first distinction.

The Earl of Moira, Lord Teignmouth, the Chairman of
the Middlesex Quarter Sessions, C. Grant, Esq., M. P. (as
representative of the Duke of Bedford), and their Royal
Highnesses the Dukes of Kent and Sussex, severally presided
at the formation of the six Societies, in the order in which
they have been named; and they were supported by the
attendance and exertions of persons high in station, and emi-
nent in ability, who, rising above their political differences,
evinced a magnanimous agreement in countenancing and ad-
vocating a cause to which, as Christians, they professed an
equal attachment, and acknowledged a common obligation.

The union of men in the support and recommendation of
the British and Foreign Bible Society, whose political senti-
ments were diametrically opposed to each other, had, by the
frequency of its occurrence, become, in a manner, familiar
to the friends of the Institution. But one of the most remark-
able instances of this kind was exhibited at the Westminster
Meeting, when Lord Castlereagh and Samuel Whitbread, Esq.,
were seen personally united in recommending the formation of the
Westminster Auxiliary Bible Society, and respectively moving
and seconding the resolutions by which it was to be established.

The proceedings at the formation of these sectional Societies
were regulated, as nearly as might be, by a principle of uni-
formity ; and, with the exception of the difference occasioned
by the rank and talent of the speakers and conductors, and by
certain other contingent circumstances, they were only so
many copies of one approved and well-constructed model.

The basis of the proceedings was, in every case, a formal
and accredited statement, on the part of the Provisional Com-
mittee of the division, representing the condition of the pDor
population included witliin it, as to the want of the Holy
Scriptures. This statement, the result of a personal and sys-

1S12.

60 HISTORY OF THE

HOME, tematic investigation, did not confine itself to a general report
Chap. IY. on the object for which the inquiry was instituted, but discri-
minated between those who could, and those who could not
read, in order to show how many were competent to make a
proper use of the boon intended to be conferred. To this it
may be added, that the course of the investigation, which,
taking the entire range of London and South wark into the
account, extended to more than 17,000 families, led to the un-
expected and painful discovery, that half the population of the
labouring classes in the metropolis of the British empire were
destitute of the Holy Scriptures. Some of the cases which
these inquiries brought to light exhibited the want of the
Scriptures as prevailing to a deplorable extent. Not to mention
others, it was found that among 858 families, containing 3000
individuals, in one part of the Bloomsbury division, only thirty-
eight Bibles were found. The pain arising from such a repre-
sentation was, however, not a little relieved by the assurance
(in which all the returns concurred) that a strong dispo-
sition had been manifested by the poor in general to become
possessed of the sacred treasure, and that many declared
themselves ready to make no ordinary sacrifice in order to be
able to acquire it,
Re'v C°F^A^ In the course of the year 1812, the Rev. C. F. A. Steinkopff,
Steinliopff the Foreign Secretary, at the request of the Society, and with
the design of promoting more extensively the object of the In-
stitution, made a tour on the continent of Europe. In further-
ance of the above design, the sum of £2000 was placed at Mr.
Steinkopff's disposal, while prosecuting his tour, with in-
structions to appropriate the same according to his discretion.
The more particular import of those instructions was, to make
him the fully-accredited agent of the British and Foreign
Bible Society; to authorize him, wherever he should go, to
hold out the completest encouragement to the formation of
Bible Societies ; to supply such wants of the Scriptures as
might appear to him to require immediate attention ; to pur-
chase such books for the Society's use as he might consider
important ; and, generally, to take all such steps, in its name
and behalf, as might seem in his judgment calculated to pro-
mote the accomplishment of its object.

to the Con
tinent.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 61

Thus commissioned and instructed, Mr. Steinkopff entered HOME,
upon his journey on the 12th of June; and, after an absence ChapTiv.
of nearly six months, during which time he visited many im- ~
portant stations in Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland, he
returned to England on the 6th of December.*

The reader should be reminded, that the period in which
Mr. Steinkopff embarked in this benevolent undertaking was
a crisis of extraordinary peril and embarrassment. That por-
tion of the Continent through which he had to travel was
under the jealous tyranny and vigilant inspection of Napo-
leon Bonaparte, the implacable enemy of that country in the
charitable service of which our traveller was despatched. But,
fortified against alarm by a consciousness of the excellence of
his cause, and the purity of his motives, he went out in faith,
and returned in safety.

The services of Mr. Steinkopif were (as might reasonably
be expected) justly appreciated by that body at whose instance
he had sacrificed his convenience, hazarded his liberty, and
even endangered his life. At a Meeting of the Committee, in j^g ^enefi-
which Lord Teignmouth presided. Admiral Lord Gambier, cial results.
and the learned Dr. Adam Clarke, charged themselves seve-
rally with moving and secondmg a resolution of thanks to
Mr. Steinkopff" for his valuable services. In conveying their
thanks, the Committee stated, as their unanimous determina-
tion, " that the result of Mr. Steinkopflp's journey to the Con-
tinent had fully justified the expectations which induced the
Committee to request him to undertake and perform it;
that the various communications made by Mr. Steinkopff to
Societies and individuals respecting the nature, object, and
operations of the British and Foreign Bible Society, had con-
tributed materially to increase their attachment to the Insti-
tution, strengthen their confidence in its wisdom and liberality,
and animate their exertions for extending the circulation of
the Holy Scriptures; that by his judicious dispensation of
the funds entrusted to him, Mr. Steinkopff had fulfilled the
wishes of the Committee in supplying the spiritual wants of

* For the interesting particulars of this tour, see IMr. Steinkopif's offi-
cial statement in the Society's Ninth Annual Report, and his "Letters"
from the Continent.

HISTORY OF THE

HOME.

Chap. IV.

1813.

Increased
work of
Society in
printing.

New Aux-
iliaries.

Oxford.

numerous poor and destitute Christians, promoting the forma-
tion of new Bible Societies, and assisting the measures of those
already in existence; and, finally, that the proceedings of
Mr. SteinkopfF had been conducted with a zeal and discretion
eminently calculated to give the most favourable impression
of the British and Foreign Bible Society; to enlarge and
strengthen its external relations; and thus to facilitate the
accomplishment of its object, the distribution of the Holy
Scriptures in the widest possible extent." The details of
this tour will come under notice in a future part of this
history.

The progress of the Society in the acquisition of influence,
comiections, and support, tended greatly, as might be inferred,
to the increase of its business. Great efl:brts were now
required and made for providing the Scriptures wanted, both
for domestic and foreign circulation. The united exertions of
the two Universities and the King's printer, stimulated as they
were by every consideration of duty and emolument, and
further urged by the importunity of the Committee, were yet
disproportioned to the actual and still increasing demand.
Besides the English and Welsh Scriptures, which were fur-
nished only from the above sources, editions were now reqviired
in the Gaelic, Irish and Manks; and also in the current
foreign languages, for Aliens in the British dominions and
elsewhere, as the French, Dutch, German, Spanish, Portu-
guese, Italian, Danish. In all of these European languages
editions were printed in this country ; while Scriptures in the
Swedish, Finnish, and some other languages, were imported
from the Continent.

Attention was also now directed to the preparing of versions
in languages either wholly new to sacred literature, or further
removed than any of the preceding fi'om general cultivaton
and use ; as the Modern Greek, the Esquimaux, the Ethiopic,
and the Syriac.

The year 1813 witnessed the formation of fifty additional
Auxiliaries, independently of Branch Societies and Associations ;
among the most important of which may be mentioned those for
the covmties of Somerset, Cumberland, Huntingdon, and Flint,
and one for Oxford and Oxfordshire. This last Auxiliary was

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 63

not, however, formed without some previous controversy, in HOME,
which John Cohen, Esq., appeared as the assaihmt of the So- chap~IV
ciety, and the Hon. N. Vansittart (afterwards Lord Bexley), —
and the Rev. James Hinton, Dissenting Minister at Oxford,
its defenders. When at length, very much through the
personal exertion of G. F. Stratton, Esq., a gentleman of
the county, of considerable talent and respectability, the So-
ciety was formed, the Lord-Lieutenant of the county and the
Chancellor of the University, became the Patrons, and the
Bishop of Durham its President, while several noblemen,
gentlemen. Heads of houses, and Professors, gave it their
countenance. The Rev. Hugh Pearson, the senior Proctor,
took a prominent part in the proceedings at the Public Meet-
ing, having been also previously, next to Mr. Stratton, the
most active in the establishment of the Society. To its for-
mation, also, the zealous eiforts of the Undergraduates of the
University, and, among these, of C. F. Lefroy, Esq., (author of
the letters signed Peter the Hermit,) very materially contri-
buted. The formation of the Hackney and Newington Aux- Hackney.
iliary gave occasion to a violent attack on the Society by the
Rev. H. H. Norris, Curate of St. John's, Hackney, first, in the
form of a correspondence with J. W. Freshfield, Esq., and
afterwards in a pamphlet entitled " A practical exposition of
the tendency and proceedings of the British and Foreign Bible
Society." The learned Bishop of St. David's, in a Tract
published by his Lordship, entitled " The Bible, and the Bible
alone, the religion of Protestants," pronounced Mr. Norris'
publication to be a most unjustifiable attack on the Bible
Society, adding, that " it was so destitute of the demonstration
which it professed to give, so defective in its premises, so incon-
clusive in its inferences, and so reprehensible in its calumnies
respecting the church-members of the Society," that it might
be left "to its own refutation." The work, however, being
industriously circulated, and being found to raise a prejudice
in some quarters, a more formal reply to it was furnished by
the Rev.W. Deal try, in a pamphlet entitled "A review of Mr.
Norris' attack, &c."

In connection with the rapidly multiplying Branch Societies Minor As-
and Bible Associations, were now found rising in every

64 HISTORY OF THE

HOME, rection numerous minor Societies, distinct from both, but
Chap! IV. equally with them contributing to the general Auxiliary fund.
— Allusion is here made to Juvenile and Female Bible Societies,
which were at this period originated.

It is to be observed that the Branch, as well as the Auxi-
liary Societies, comprehended persons of each sex, and of every
condition, while Bible Associations, as originally constituted,
were peculiarly adapted to the circumstances of the poor,
being designed to assist them in supplying their own wants,
besides affording a medium through wdiich their humble yet
willing offerings might find a place in that enlarged fund of
benevolence which the Society was honoured to dispense. It
now occurred to some friends of the cause that much might be
done hy the young and by females, in aid of the common
undertaking, by Associations constituted from among them-
selves, and co-operating with the local body, whether a Branch,
or an Auxiliary Society.*

The first example on record of a Juvenile contribution to
the Bible Society was furnished by the Holboi'n Sunday
School. This was commenced in 1808, and was continued
for many years. The first Juvenile Association, on a regular
and systematic plan, was the Surrey Chapel Bible Association,
formed in 1812, in connection with the Southwark Sunday
School Society. In the course of eight years this Society-
enrolled about 1 2,000 contributors and subscribers, distributed
7316 Bibles and Testaments, and remitted to the Southwark
Auxiliary £2115. In the same year the "York Juvenile
Society" was formed ; and very soon these interesting youthful
efforts extended to Scotland and Wales, and no inconsiderable
amount of revenue was the result. By the Tenth Anniver-
sary, nearly £500 annually was found to flow in directly to the
Parent Institution from this source. Several Associations were
formed in connection with private Educational establishments.

The first regularly formed Ladies' Bible Society, in direct
and exclusive connection with the Parent Society, appears to

* For an interesting account of the oi-ig-in of the various kinds of Bible
Associations, and particularly of a Juvenile Bible Society, formed at
Sheffield iu 1805 (without knowledge of the existence of the British and
Foreign Bible Society), see Dudley's Analysis of the Bible Society, p. 277.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 65

have been that of " Westmhister," established in 1811. In HOME,
the following year a similar one was instituted at Dublin, (;„^^jv
inider very distinguished patronage, for the purpose of contri- —
l)uting to the Hibernian Bible Society.

The meed of priority is, however, in no small respect due
to females in an humble class of life. The "Aberdeen Female
Servants' Society, for promoting the diffusion of the Scrip-
tures," was formed in 1809 ; and though not exclusively de-
voted to this object, yet there is reason to believe that this
was the first Association of adult females, formed for the pur-
pose of aiding the Bible Society's operations. This was fol-
lowed in Scotland by a Society at Paisley, in 1811, under the
title of the " Female Bible Association," which is thought to
have been the first Association of the kind, that contemplated
the supply of local loants as a primary object.

From the period above mentioned, " Ladies' Bible Asso-
ciations" began to be extensively established, till at length the
supply of local wants fell in a great measure into their hands,
and with the most efficient and happy results.*

Nor was this laudable zeal for the dissemination of the
Scriptures confined to the youthful and female inhabitants of
Great Britain : it extended beyond the Atlantic, and manifested
its influence there also in the production of Juvenile and Female
Bible Societies. Of the former, the earliest instance on record
is, " The Young Men's Bible Society, formed at New York in
1809: the second of that class, "The Nassau Hall Bible
Society." Of the latter, the first in point of rank, and, it is
believed, also of time, is "The Female Bible Society of Phila-
delphia." To these were afterwards added numerous similar

* Here it seems but due to Mr. C. S. Dudley to state, that to him
may be very much attributed, if not their origin, yet their reg-ular and
systematic co-operation. From a very early period of the Society's his-
tory, in consequence of reading- in the correspondence of Pastor Oberhn
some account of the labours of certain females in his flock, Mr. Dudley's
mind became impressed with the importance of engaging female in-
fluence in the work of the Bible Society ; and to this impression may be
traced the deep interest which he took in the system of Female Bible
Associations, and the successful eiforts which he has for so many years
continued, in developing and carrying it out in all parts of the United
Kingdom.

1814.

66 HISTORY OF THE

HOME, establishments ; and they appear to have multipUed rapidly
Chap~IV. throughout the American Union.

The increase of these various affiliated institutions, and the
benefits evidently to be derived from them, made it important
that every method should be employed, to render them as
efficient as possible.

The origin of Auxiliary Societies having been altogether
accidental and unforeseen, the regulations of the Society, as at
first framed and adopted, contained no provision for either
modelling their constitution, or defining their operations. It
followed as a consequence, that there was no uniformity in
their construction or internal organization — no principle of
agreement (the fundamental principle of the Parent Insti-
tution excepted) to govern their conduct, or to direct their
separate effisrts to the consentaneous accomplishment of the
general end.
The regu- Among the inconveniences arising from the absence of
lations for gygtem, was the irregularity which at first prevailed, both as
liaries, As- to the extent and the manner of the home-distribution of the
&c!^made Scriptures; some Auxiliaries reserving a much larger pro-
uniform, portion than others of their annual contribution for the use of
the domestic poor, while the rules adopted for the disposal of
the books were, in the greater number of instances, vague and
defective. Little, if any idea was entertained of recommending
sale in preference to gratuitous donation, of ascertaining with
correctness the proper objects of relief, or of stimulating the
lower classes of the people to aid themselves, and to co-ope-
rate, according to their means, in the promotion of the general
cause.

These irregularities and deficiencies, attracted the attention
of some of the active and watchful members of the Parent
Committee, and especially, among the rest, of Richard Phillips,
Esq., whose name has already been referred to. This gentleman,
assisted by the practical experience of Mr. C. S. Dudley, pre-
pared a set of Rules for the regular and effective organization,
not of Auxiliary Societies only, and their Branches, but also of
Bible Associations under their different forms.* These rules,
after a careful revision, were adopted, printed, and widely dis-
* See Appendix 1, note C.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 67

persed by the Parent Society, under the title of " Hints on the HOME,
constitution and objects of Auxiliary Societies." The good Chap~iV
effects of this measure soon began to appear. Auxiliaries and —
Branches assumed a more regular form, and the Associations
in particular, profited in no small degree from the directions
thus supplied for their constitution and management.

Bible Associations, in connection with Auxiliaries and Bible As-
Branches, now became an important part of the Society's n°uU^piied.
regular system of operation. Ten were formed in the Black-
heath district. The Suffolk Auxiliary early adopted the same
plan, as also did the Societies at Darlington and elsewhere.
The Tindale Ward numbered twenty-four Associations, in a
population of 29,605. The twelve Associations formed in the
Borough of Southwark, with its 650 active agents, deserve spe-
cial notice, not only for their zeal and efficiency,* but also for
their complete and well-defined organization; on account of
which, they have been giccustomed to be appealed to as a
model, and for which they were mainly indebted to Mr. Dudley,
then acting as one of the Secretaries of the Southwark Auxi-
liary.

The beneficial tendency of these popular Associations had Their safe
now become demonstrated by actual experience ; and the g"!^/'^"^!
Parent Committee, who had watched their progress with dency.
great solicitude, thought it right to give them every encourage-
mentf The Rev. W. Dealtry, who early perceived their
probable results, after a closer and more serious examination
of the subject, prepared a luminous and valuable paper on "The
advantages of distributing the Holy Scriptures among the
lower orders of society, chiefly by their own agency." The
Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Right Hon. N. Vansittart,
in an address at the formation of the City of London Auxiliary,
bore testimony to their great importance, as deduced by him
from the working of the ten Associations at Blackheath, with

* In three years, these Associations raised the sum of £4G85, and dis-
tributed 9328 Bibles and 4209 Testaments.

For a full explanation of the system adopted at Southwark, see a
Vol. of "Southwark Reports," and Dudley's Analysis of the Bible
Society.

t See Ninth and Tenth Annual Reports.
f2

HISTORY OF THE

HOME.

Chap. IV.

1814.

Remarks
of Dr.
Chalmers.

which, as President of the Auxiliary, he was connected.
Much also was done towards the removal of the objections
which had been, or might be, brought against them, by a very
ingenious and argumentative essay, published by Dr. Chalmers,
" On the influence of Bible Societies on the temporal necessi-
ties of the Poor." The following reply to the current ob-
jection, that these Associations are a tax upon the poor, will
show the reader how worthy this Essay is of an attentive
perusal.

*' This assimilation of our plan to a tax may give rise to a
world of impetuous declamation ; but let it ever be remem-
bered, that the institution of a Bible Society gives you the
whole benefit of such a tax, without its odiousness. It brings
up their economy to a higher pitch ; but it does so, not in the
way which they resist, but in the way which they choose.
The single circumstance of its being a voluntary act forms
the defence and the answer to all the clamours of an affected
sympathy. You take from the poor. No : they give. You
take beyond their ability. Of this they are the best judges.
You abridge their comforts. No : there is a comfort in the
exercise of charity ; there is a comfort in the act of lending a
hand to a noble enterprise; there is a comfort in the con-
templation of its progress ; there is a comfort in rendering a
service to a friend ; and when that friend is the Saviour, and
that service the circulation of the message He left behind Him,
it is a comfort which many of the poor are ambitious to share
in. Leave them to judge of their comfort; and if, in point of
fact, they do give their penny a week to a Bible Society, it
just speaks them to have more comfort in this way of spend-
ing it than in any other which occurs to them.

"Perhaps it does not occur to those friends of the poor,
while they are sitting in judgment on their circumstances and
feelings, how unjustly and how unworthily they think of them.
They do not conceive how truth and benevolence can be at all
objects to them ; and suppose that, after they have got the
meat to feed, the house to shelter, the raiment to cover them,
there is nothing else that they will bestow a penny upon.
They may not be able to express their feelings on a suspicion
so ungenerous, Init I shall do it for them. *We have souls

1814.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN ^IBLE SOCIETY. 69

as well as you, and precious to our hearts is the Saviour who HOME,
died for them. It is true, we have our distresses, but these chap^ IV.
have bound us more firmly to our Bibles ; and it is the desire
of our hearts that a gift so precious should be sent to the
poor of other countries. The word of God is our hope and
our rejoicing: we desire that it may be theirs also; that the
wandering savage may know it and be glad ; and the poor
negro, under the lash of his master, may be told of a Master in
heaven, who is full of pity, and full of kindness. Do you think
that sympathy for such as these is your peculiar attribute ?
Know that our hearts are made of the same materials with
your own ; that we can feel as well as you ; and, out of the earn-
ings of a hard and an honest industry, we shall give an offering
to the cause ; nor shall we cease our exertions, till the message
of salvation is carried round the globe, and made known to the
countless millions who live in guilt, and who die in darkness."*

Many other explanatory papers were also circulated
throughout the kingdom, together with numerous appeals, to
different classes of society ;t by means of which, the real cha-
racter of these Institutions became better known, their safe
tendency was vindicated, the motives for supporting them
strengthened, and the best methods suggested for protecting
them from abuse, and giving them their due efficiency.

For these Associations it was pleaded, that, though not free
from imperfection, nor secured from the possibility of evil, yet
their direct tendency was to produce incalculable good ; that
they awakened, and at the same time enlightened the benevo-
lent principle ; that they elevated the minds of the lower, and
softened the hearts of the superior orders of the community,
establishing an intercourse of sentiment and feeling between
them, which could scarcely fail to improve the character of
both ; whilst their peculiar constitution, and their simple and
defined object, secured them from any serious and durable
abuse. This reasoning, it is not too much to say, has, by the
course of time, been abundantly and happily confirmed.

* Pp. 21-23.

t See Dudley's Analysis. Mr. Dudley's own pen furni.shed several of
these : others were supplied by Mr. Montgomery, Mrs. Gilbert (formerly
Ann Taylor), and other friends.

70 HISTOllY OF THE

CHAPTER V.

GENERAL PEACE OF EUROPE, AND EXTENSION OF THE
society's OPERATIONS ON THE CONTINENT.

1814—1819.

HOME. Effect of the genei-al Peace — Visit of the Allied Sovereigns to

Chap" V Ewjland — Deputation from Parent Society to the Empei'or

— of Russia and the King of Prussia — Increase of the Society's

^^^^' Income^ and of Bible Distribution — Society's New Premises

at Earl Street — Ladies' Bible Associations— Merchatit Sea-

mens' Bible Society — Pev. Mr. Owen's visit to the Continent —

Concluding Refections on this period — Extract from Mr.

Wilberforce' s SjJeech.

The eleventh year of the Society's history opened auspi-
ciously, especially in regard to the extension of its influence
and connections on the continent of Europe. The re-estabhsh-
ment of peace threw open channels of communication that had
long been closed, and the Society was not slow to take advan-
tage of them, as will be shown in another part of this work.
The Rev. Messrs. Paterson and Pinkerton, after full personal
conference, held with the Committee at home, wei*e despatched
again on a biblical mission to the North of Europe.

Large distributions of the Sacred Scriptures, amounting to
nearly ten thousand copies, were at this time made to prisoners
of war, who were returning home on the cessation of hostili-
ties on the Continent; in which distribution the Chaplains of the
forces took a kind and active part.
Visit of the An event of some moment, bearing on the foreign relations

Allied So- Qf ^Y\Q Society, occurred at home, durinf:^ this year — the visit

vereigns to -^ . .

England, of the Alhed Sovereigns to this country, which took place in

the summer of 1814. The presence in the metropohs, of the
Emperor of Russia, and the King of Prussia, both of whom,
within their respective dominions, had taken the cause of the
Society under their protection, gave an opportunity of pre-
senting to these august Sovereigns, in person, the Society's

BRITISH AXD FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 71

grateful and respectful homage. A Deputation, consisting of HOME.

the President, several of the Vice-Presidents, and the thi'ee qj^~ y

Secretaries, waited on the Emperor Alexander, and were —

very graciously received by liim. After acknowledging the

Addi'ess, presented bv the President in the name of the So- Patronage

1 . T " o 1 o • 9 -r. TT- T of Emperor

ciety, together with a set of the Society s Keports, His im- Alexander

perial Majesty conversed familiarly, and at some length, with ^°pj^^°|

the members of the Deputation.

The Deputation to His Majesty the king of Prussia, the first
monarch who gave direct patronage and countenance to the
British and Foreign Bible Society, were equally well received,
and assurances given on the part of His Majesty of his appro-
bation of the Institution, and determination to protect and
favour its object.*

Thus was the Society brought, through the medium of per-
sonal mtercourse, into a state of closer and more determmate
union with these two powerful sovereigns of the Xorth.

During the year now under review, a spirit of generous Kapid in-
emulation appeared to actuate the friends of the Society at the Soeie-
home. Besides the enlai'gement, by additional Branches and ^^'^ disth-
Associations, of existing Societies, several new ones of great bmion of
promise were formed. In Scotland, especially, the zeal ^"P^^^^-
displayed from the commencement of the Institution, conti-
nued to operate. The Edinburgh Society nearly doubled the
number of its Auxiliaries and Associations, and that of Glasgow
succeeded in organizing four Associations in as many districts,
which comprehended the whole extent of the city. The income
of the Society this year reached nearly £100,000, and the
issues of Bibles and Testaments amounted to neai'ly 250,000.
The distribution effected by Bible Associations is particularly
entitled to notice. Of the purchases made at the depository,
amounting to more than £27,500, the greater part was com-
puted to have arisen from penny contributions ; so greatly had
the Society now become indebted bot% to the liberality and in-
dustry of these its humble, but zealous and effectual supporters.

The domestic history of the Society during the year 1815
continued to be encouraging. Notwithstanding the new

* For a full report of these interviews, see Ou-en, Vol. III. pp. tj, 8.

tacks on
the Society.

72 HISTORY OF THE

HOME, sources of anxiety abroad, created by an event which unex-
C ia7 V pectedly liad broken again the repose of Europe, — the return
— of Napoleon Buonaparte to Paris ; the Society experienced but
little interruption in its operations abroad, and no abatement
occurred in the zeal and liberality of its friends at home, who
continued still to contribute bountifully to the spiritual wants
of their fellow-men, both at home and abroad. In this year,
the Rev. Dr. Steinkopff' was despatched on another tour
to the Continent, which extended over 4000 or 5000 miles, and
was attended with many advantages.
Other at- The Society was not indeed allowed to pursue its course
without the embers of hostility being again stirred up against
it. Three of the northern prelates, the Bishops of Lincoln,
Chester, and Carlisle, thought it right, in their several charges
to their clergy, to arraign the principles and tendency of the
Society, as, in some way, pregnant with danger to the interests
of both Church and State. Some pamphlets appeared, in
which the obnoxious statements were alternately attacked and
defended. The Society does not appear to have suffered any
material injury from this renewed assault. The episcopal
testimony in its favour had now become too strong to be over-
borne by the authority, however respectable, of two or three
members of the Bench.
The So- This year, 1815, the Society took possession of the premises at

Earl Street. The inconvenience arising from having the library
Earl and depository in one place, the Accountant's office in another, and
the Committee-room in a third, as had previously been the case,
had long been severely felt, both by the officers and members of
the Society. Besides which, the commission paid to the book-
seller, Mr. Seeley, on the sale of Bibles and Testaments, had
now, owing to the extent of the issues, arisen to a great annual
amount, rendering it the more desirable that the Society
should, for this as well as other purposes, be supplied with
accommodation of its ovrn. To these considerations may be
added, as not least, the importance of obtaining a suitable
room for the Society's Biblical Library, already consisting of
numerous and valuable works, additions to which were con-
tinually being made. All the advantages anticipated by this
arrangement have been fully realized.

ciety s new
premises

Street.

BIIITISII AND FOKEIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 73

Tlie more clocided part which females were now found to HOME,

take in the work of Bible Societies, led, at this time, to a re- ^^ ~ y
consideration of the propriety of employing individuals of that —
sex in a participation of the duties which respect, exclusively,

the investigation and supply of the spiritual wants of the poor, I-adies*As-

*= 1 X ./ 1 _ i^ sociations.

more especially in reference to the Holy Scriptures. Pains The prac-
were taken to ascertain the limits within which such agency M^? ° ^^~
should be confined, and to point out, as clearly as the case poor re-
would allow, the line within which such benevolent efforts defended,
might be discreetly, securely, and profitably conducted. This
was required, as well to satisfy the apprehensions of some of
the warm admirers of the principle, as also to meet objections
brought against it by others, who were not slow to seize on
every thing which might contribute to raise a prejudice against
the Society. A determination in their favour was now found
to spread and increase through every portion of the country.*

Bible Associations in general were also now deriving in- Bible meet-
creasing evidence in their favour, from a mature experience of p^eLlyex-
their conduct and effects, and that during a period of consi- ^"^P*^'^ """
derable agitation and disturbance in many districts, — thus fully new law.
justifying the confidence reposed in their integrity and discretion.
In striking illustration of this, it may be stated, that when
about this time " an Act for the suppression of seditious meet-
ings" was proposed to the legislature, a Deputation from the
Society found no difiiculty in inducing the Officers of the
Crown to yield to a clause, exempting from the operation of
the Act " any meeting or society for purposes of a religious
and charitable character only, in which no other matter or
business should be treated of and discussed ;" Bible meetings
being at that period the most numerous, by far, of all such
meetings held. A number of interesting facts, bearing on
the influence of Bible Associations on the general character
and state of the poor at this period, are adduced by Mr.
Owen, who thus sums up the legitimate inference derived
from the whole. f

* For a defence of Female Associations, see Dudley's Analysis, p. SiG ;
especially an extract, p. 347, from Third Report of Manchester and Sal-
ibrd Ladies' Uranch Association.

t See Owen, Vol. III. pp. I(i0--l(j4.

HISTORY OF THE

HOME.

Chap. V.

1818.

Merchant
Seamen's
Bible So-
ciety.

"On revieAving these facts, and connecting them with the
reflection, that, during the whole of this turbulent period, a
ci'isis so alarming as to have caused a temporary suspension
of the dearest privileges of the Constitution, the Bible Asso-
ciations spread over the country, and ramified among the
very classes in which the discontent and faction prevailed,
maintained the purity of their character, and escaped alto-
gether the contagion of the popular ferment— we have a proof,
at once the most complete and decisive, that the practical
influence of such Associations is directly adapted to cherish
those principles and dispositions, which conduce to the happi-
ness of individuals, and the well-being of the community."

The prosperity of the Institution at this period, in its do-
mestic relations, though not conspicuous from any splendid
acquisitions, the larger divisions of the country being already
occupied by Auxiliary Societies, was sufficiently attested by
the great increase of Bible Associations, particularly of those
conducted by females, and by an extension, in various ways,
of the beneficial influence of the Auxiliary system. One of
the directions which this extension took was towards the
Commercial Marine.

In January 1818 was formed the "Merchant Seamen's
Auxiliary Bible Society." This, however, was not the first
direct attempt to benefit British seamen by means of the
Bible Society. In 1813 had been instituted the "Thames
Union Bible Committee," composed of the Secretaries, and four
representatives, of each of the four Auxiliaries bordering on
the Thames,— the London, Blackheath, East London, and
Southwark. Nearly twenty depositories were established on
both banks of the Thames, from London bridge to Woolwich,
which were supplied with Bibles and Testaments in several
European languages, and by this means very considerable
distributions were effected. Marine Associations had also been
formed at Whitby, Hull, and Aberdeen ; and, among other
efforts in the same direction, those of Lady Grey, at Ports-
mouth, deserve special mention. Through the activity and
persevering zeal of this excellent lady, continued through a
series of years, many thousand copies of the Scriptures were
brought into the hands of sailors and others, connected with,

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 75

or visiting that port. The Merchant Seamen's Bible Society, HOME,
formed under the auspices of the Lord Mayor, and various ^^^~ y
noblemen, gentlemen, and merchants of the first consideration, —

1818

was designed to consolidate and extend the efforts made for
this interesting class of persons employed in the Service,
of wdiom it yvsLS ascertained that, at that time, at least
120,000 were destitute of Bibles. To show the necessity
for such a Society, as well as the vigour and judgment with
which it entered on its work, it is stated, that in little more
than two months after its formation, 360 outward-bound ships,
containing 4416 men, of whom 3968 could read, were visited
by its agent, Lieut. Cox, and 1442 Bibles and Testaments
were sold, or otherwise distributed among them. The valuable
and useful labours of this Society were continued with
much zeal, perseverance, and success, throughout the whole
subsequent period of this history. The title of the Society
showed that it chiefly occupied itself about those employed in
the merchant service ; sailors connected with the Navy, en-
joying a special provision for their benefit, in the Naval and
Military Bible Society.

The Society, about this period, became the object of some
renewed attacks; but the scene of controversy was now
changed from England to Ireland. The Rev. A. O'Callaghan,
master of Kilkenny College, announced his hostility in a pam-
phlet entitled, " Thoughts on the tendency of Bible Societies,
as affecting the Established Religion, and Christianity itself as
a reasonable service." The main positions of the book, reite-
rated in a variety of forms, appear to be, that the Bible is, of
all books, the most difficult to understand ; and that a man
born in a low condition, and destitute of a learned education,
cannot possibly understand it. Spirited replies to this attack
appeared from the pens of the Rev. Rob. J. M'Gliee, and the
Rev. W. Napper.*

* These publications were shortly after followed by "The Bible, not
the Bible Society, &c.," by the Rev. W. Phelan, Fellow of Trinity Col-
lege, Dublin ; and a second by IMr. O'Callaghan, under the title of "The
Bible Society against the Church and State." It does not appear that
these two latter works received, or were thought deserving of, any
distinct reply. For some further account of these Irish pamphlets, of

which

HISTORY OF THE

HOME.

Chap. V.

1818.

Scheme of
Ladies' As-
sociations
exteuded.

Its results.

Mr. Owen's
visit to the
Continent.

The system of Bible Associations had gradually, by passing,
in a great measure, into the hands of tlie female sex, assumed
a new character. Ladies' Bible Societies, including a number
of separate Associations, under the form of "Bi'anches," were
now organized in many of the larger cities and towns in the
kingdom. Of the importance and efficiency of this combined
plan, the experiment made in the town of Liverpool, may be
selected as a striking example. By the Ladies' Liverpool
Branch, established May 1817 (re-formed in December the
same year) "the zeal, the talents, and the influence of more
than 600 ladies were called into exercise, and directed, in a
methodical and systematic manner, to the investigation and
supply of 341 districts. At the close of the first year the
number of Subscribers exceeded 10,000, of whom 3364 were
Free Contributors; more than 3000 Bibles and Testaments
had been distributed by sale ; and the aggregate amount col-
lected was £2552.165. lOd., of which the sum of £518 .l*.
4c/. was remitted for the general object of the Parent Institution.
During this period more than 20,800 visits had been paid ;
attended, it was believed, with many happy results, not only
to the families of the poor, but amongst the collectors them-
selves."*

The establishment of the Ladies' "Branch" at Liverpool
was immediately followed by that of a similar institution at
Manchester, and afterwards at Plymouth, Hull, Newcastle-
upon-Tyne, and other places.

Reference has been made to visits paid, at different times, to
the Continent, by Dr. Steinkopff, the Foreign Secretary, and to
the benefits derived therefrom to the Society. In the year 1818,
in addition to extensive tours by Dr. Henderson and Dr. Pin-
kerton, now acting as foreign agents of the Society, and which
will come under subsequent notice, the Rev. J. Owen, the
Clerical Secretary, was induced to spare ten weeks from his
other important and onerous avocations, for a journey to some
of the Continental spheres of labour. In the course of this
journey he visited Paris, Strasburg, Waldbach, Colmar, Mul-

which that by Mr. Phelan seems to have .shown the greater abihty and
acuteness, see Owen's History, Vol. III. p. 337, &c.
* Dudley, p. 374.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 77

liansen, Bjisle, Schaffhausen, Constance, St. Gall, Chur, Win- HOME,
terthur, Zurich, Aarau, Neufcliatel, Bern, Lausanne, and Ge- g,^ ~ y
neva ; these being the principal places in France and Switzer- —
land, where the Society's correspondents resided. Many in-
teresting circumstances attending this tovir, and the interviews
of Mr. Owen with different individuals, were narrated in a series
of letters, to which further allusion^ill hereafter be made, and
which, with the correspondence of the above-named agents,
form a valuable part of the Appendix of the Society's Report
for the year.*

Thus occupied in the administration of its general concerns,
as well as the execution of its particular undertakings, with a
distinguished patronage from the highest, and a liberal support
from all classes of the community, the Society sealed the
business and the triumphs of another year, by the joyful cele-
bration of its Fifteenth Anniversary. The review of its posi-
tion and labours, taken by Mr. Wilberforce in his speech on
this occasion, is so devout and animating, and is unfolded with
so much beauty of thought and expression, that we cannot
conclude this period more fitly than by quotmg a few sentences
from his eloquent address.

" What has been said upon other occasions is strictly true, Mr. Wil-
that, when we come to form any adequate idea of the ^^''f"rces
real benefits which result from our Institution, the very Mayi8i9.
magnitude of them, the very immensity of the scale of the
building, prevents our having any just and due feeling con-
cerning it. It is too large for us to comprehend and to grasp
with the ordinary feelings of our nature. In order to form
a more just conception of the benefits to arise from our
labours, we shall do better to banish from our minds all the
ideas of empires and nations, and take a single copy of the

* Not a little has been added to the influence of the Society among- the
mass of the British community by the i^eriodical issue of certain portions of
intelligence, under the title of " Monthly Extracts from the Correspondence
of the British and Foreign Bible Society." This practice commenced in
1817, and so greatly had it approved itself to the bulk of the subscribers,
particularly of the humbler conditions of life, that in a short time 40,000
copies were required to meet the monthly demand. A similar expedient
was adopted at Geneva, Basle, and other places abroad.

See Beport for 181U.

18H

78 HISTORY OF THE

HOME. Scriptures, follow it into the little dwelling in which it is
Chap! V. delivered, and see those who have not enjoyed the benefits of
instruction, with which a bounteous Providence has favoured
us, hanging upon the words of truth and mercy that are there
recorded for the consolation of the sorrowful, and for easing
the guilty heart of its pangs. Then we behold them, with
a deep feeling of compunction, reading of a Saviour who died
for sinners, of a Holy Spirit promised them for the change
of their natures, while a principle of gratitude begins to warm
their hearts : soon you find them engaging in one common
prayer, and a prayer, I trust, in which we ourselves shall
not be forgotten.

*' But when we come to consider that this is but a single
individual case, taken from among those two millions three
hundred thousand of which we have been speaking ; when
we recollect that the benefit conferred adapts itself to all
circumstances, suits all individuals, from the monarch upon the
throne to the peasant in the cottage, and becomes to both
alike a spring of new life, and thought, and action ; that it
is productive of individual improvement, of individual com-
fort, of domestic peace and happiness, of social delight and
enjoyment ; and that it goes on enlarging its sphere, till
it enlightens kingdoms, and forms the cement of political
society ; I say, when, my Lord, you trace it in all its effects,
from man to man, from society to society, from nation to
nation, the world at length becomes too narrow for its ope-
rations, and you are carried on to that better and future state,
where its blessings shall be seen in all their vast and endless
dimensions."

And then, after adverting to instances continually occurring,
in which the labours of the Society were found attended not only
with the approval, but also the co-operation of other countries,
and even of some that had been hitherto the objects of our
jealousy and hostility, Mr. Wilberforce proceeds: "It seems
of some importance to observe the various striking effects of this
union in different parts of the world, and to remark the different
sects and nations of men acting in connection and harmonious
combination, while, at the same time, each is unconscious of
what the other is performing. For is it possible to see all this.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 79

and not recognise the operation of that Almighty Providence HOME,
which is thus carrying on its own blessed purposes by human ^^ ~ y
means, and is thus leading us, in paths we know not, to become —
the honoured instruments of dispensing the greatest benefits '^^^*
to mankind ? These are indeed most delightful and cheering
views : and, when we see that the operations of the Society
are in this way tending to put an end to those distinctions
which have almost separated mankind, and to dispel those
hostilities which might be thought the least likely to yield
to any such influence, is it possible that there can be any
perscJlis so in love with the principles of discord and enmity
as not to wish to run to us with open arms, and desire that all
our differences may at length be done away, and that we may
all join in so good and great a work ? Undoubtedly, it is to
be feared, that, while we continue in this world, there will
be diiferences, and that between nation and nation; and,
therefore, that the hopes of universal peace which some have
indulged, have been rather the delightful dreams they them-
selves have encouraged, than the anticipations of a sober judg-
ment speculating on human affairs. But this, at least, we
may hope, that even nations, if they should be called into
hostilities against each other, may not be enemies at heart ;
that, by the operations of our Society, and by means of tlie
connection which it forms with the Societies of other nations,
there may be feelings of friendship generated which will
smooth even the aspect of war, while all are joining together
in the great and happy work of seeking to promote the
universal benefit of mankind. There is no view whatever in
which our Society appears to me more delightful than this,
that it not merely gives us that elixir of life, that universal
medicine, which, suitmg itself to all conditions, to all circum-
stances, to all diseases, is the universal remedy and cordial of
our common nature ; but that it contains, also, the elements of
peace, of love, and hope, and joy, the means of bringing some-
thing of heaven to earth, before it executes its purposes of car-
rying us from earth to heaven."

With this year closes Mr. Owen's History of the Society,
although that part which has now passed under review, includes
only its domestic history. When the other portion of it, re-

80 HISTORY OF THE

HOME, lating to the Society's foreign operations, comes to be noticed,

Chap V ^ much deeper impression and more correct idea will be

— gained, of the rapid progress and extraordinary success with

which, during this period, it pleased God to favovir the Society's

labours. We give some of Mr. Owen's concluding reflections.

Mr.Owen's "In reviewing this portion of its history, the mind is filled

oftiie^first ^^^^^^ astonishment, wliile contemplating the variety, extent,

fifteen and influence of those operations by which its simple and

the So- benevolent object has been so widely and efficaciously pro-

ciety's his- moted. If, in the earlier stages of its introduction to public
tory. ° -^ .

notice, doubts might have been reasonably entertained,

whether the wants of Christendom were such as to require,
and its circumstances and disposition to encourage the ex-
periment of associating the efforts of all classes of Christians
in the dissemination of the Holy Scriptures among them-
selves, as well as in heathen and Mohammedan countries ; the
facts which have progressively occurred, and especially those
of more recent date, have shown, that such doubts were
altogether without rational foundation. It has now been
ascertained, by local inquiries — the exactness of which is
vouched for by unquestionable authority — that there has
existed in nations professing to derive the principles of their
faith and the rules of their practice from the Holy Scriptures,
(and in our own among the number), a scarcity — amounting in
some cases even to a famine — of the word of God. But for
the existence of the British and Foreign Bible Society, it
appears in a high degree probable, that such inquiries would
not have been instituted ; and, consequently, that the malady
would not have been discovered, nor any fit and adequate
remedy applied. The fitness and adequacy of the remedy
provided by the British and Foreign Bible Society have
been demonstrated by evidence not less clear and incontro-
vertible than that by which the existence of the evil, that
called for one, has been exposed and established. Exacting
nothing as conditional in the terms of her union, but what
every genuine believer in Divine Revelation may conscien-
tiously grant, and what no one professing to be such can
without inconsistency withhold ; she appeared among the
nations of Christendom with advantages, which, had her

BRITISH AND FOEEIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 81

object been less simple, and her principle less general, she HOME,
must utterly have wanted. Observing, in the offers of her ch\p V.
friendship, no insidious designs of proselytism and division,
a large proportion of the Christian community embraced
them with generous promptitude, and consented to take their
share in that holy alliance, whose object is the dissemination
of truth, and whose spirit is that of benignity, conciliation,
and love."

ISK

82 HISTORY OF THE

CHAPTER VI.

GENEEAL PROGRESS OF THE SOCIETY, CONTINUED TO THE
PERIOD OF THE APOCRYPHA CONTROVERSY.

1820—1825.

Ladies Bible Associations, Liverpool — Death of the Duke of
Kent — Increased communication with the Continent — Illness
and Death of Mr. Owen — Appointment of Rev. A. Bran-
dram, as Secretary/, and of T. P. Piatt, Esq., as Honorary
Librarian — Issue of Native Irish Scr-iptwes — Scriptures at
reduced prices for Sunday Schools.

HOME. The history of the Society must now proceed without the

Chap" VI g^^itling hand of him, whose well-instructed pen traced its

1820. course for the first fifteen years, and with much fidelity and

Mr. Owen's skill recorded its multifarious transactions ; — transactions in

declining which he had borne an important and conspicuous part from

the commencement. Mr. Owen's enfeebled state of health has

already been alluded to : his visit to the Continent was partly

with a view to its re- establishment; and some benefit appears

to have resulted, so that he continued, though with diminished

and gradually-decreasing strength and energy, to occupy

himself in the affairs of the Society for about three years

longer.

These few years present nothing very remarkable in the
home history of the Institution ; yet must they not be passed
over wholly unnoticed. The Report presented at the Public
Meeting in May 1820, states, that " notwithstanding the
extraordinary pressure of commercial difficulties, and the
industrious propagation of irreligious and even antichristian
opinions, the resources of the Society, so far from suffering
any serious diminution, had been very liberally maintained,
and its operations had kept pace with the activity and

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY, 83

efficiency of its most prosperous years." The efforts and HOME,
returns of the Auxiliaries and Associations in England and q^~ yj_
Wales continued very encouraging. One fact may be given ^— ^
in illustration of the vigour with which, at this time, Christian
females plied the task they had so generously taken upon Lad7es'Af-
themselves. The Liverpool Ladies' Association report 20,800 sociations.
visits paid by them, in the course of the year, on behalf of the
Bible Society. Other localities upheld the interests of the In-
stitution with energy and liberality ; and in Ireland the
circulation of the Holy Scriptures was doubled.

This year, the Society lost one of its most distinguished Death of
Patrons and warmest friends, by the decease of His Royal ^^^^.^ ^^ ^®
Highness the Duke of Kent, father of her present Majesty Kent.
the Queen. The President, on opening the Public Meeting
in May 1820, offered the following respectful tribute to the
memory of the illustrious Prince, whose marked attachment to
the Institution had been expressed in various ways : —

" I should not do justice to my own feelings, nor probably
satisfy your expectations, if I were to omit offering a tribute of
respect to the memory of His Royal Highness the Duke of
Kent ; a tribute most especially due to him from the Members
of a Society, the prosperity of which he so anxiously endea-
voured to promote. We have had the gratification to witness
the exertions of his Royal Highness in this place, and I could
with pleasure refer to numerous instances of his condescension
in attending the Meetings of Auxiliary Bible Societies. On
these occasions the dignified affability of his demeanour was
not less conspicuous and endearing than his zeal for the
success of the Institution which he so publicly patronized. It
has now lost the benefit of his services ; but the remembrance
of those which he rendered to it will long be retained with
heartfelt gratitude, and with the deepest regret for that
calamitous event which has deprived the Society of the con-
tinuance of them."

The communications of the Society with the Continent be- Extended
came more and more numerous and important ; and a third communi-
^ /~i ' ' Till- i-i-^ cation witli

Visit to the Continent, accomplished this year by Dr. the Conti-

Steinkopff, contributed greatly to advance its influence. His "^"''

tour extended through part of France, Switzerland, and
G 2

Summary
in 1819.

84 HISTORY OF THE

HOME, Germany, and occnpied about six months. His letters,

CH.ip^VI. inserted in the Report of the year,* contain, as on former

1820. occasions, much interesting and valuable information, which

will come under review in connection with the Continental

proceedings of the Society.

In a Circular Letter drawn up on the above occasion, and
addressed to the Bible Societies of Prussia and Switzerland —
the countries through which Dr. Steinkopff was expected to
pass — the following summary is given, which, as showing the
general state of the Society up to that time, may be here ad-
vantageously introduced.
General "In October 1819, no less than 629 Auxiliaries and

Branch Societies, within the British dominions, had joined the
Parent Institution, without including the smaller district and
parochial Associations, which exceed a thousand. Since the
formation of the Society, in 1804, more than 2,550,000 copies
of the Holy Scriptures have been issued from its depository ;
and if to these be added 330,000 Bibles and Testaments, pur-
chased and distributed at its charge in various parts of Europe,
and a still further number of 800,000 copies which kindred
Institutions in all quarters of the globe have printed and circu-
lated, a grand total appears of 3,680,000 copies of the Sacred
Records of our Holy Religion, which, as an incorruptible
seed, have been disseminated in the vast field of the world.

" Eor the attainment of these glorious results the Society
expended £691 in the first, and £123,847 in its last year;
and in the whole of the fifteen years the sum of £828,687.

" The number of languages and dialects in which the entire
Bible, the New Testament, or some integral books of either,
have been printed or distributed, or are now printing or trans-
lating by the Society or its Auxiliaries, in various parts of the
world, amounts to 128, among which are comprised all the
European, many Asiatic, some African and American lan-
guages, and one language of the Society Islands."

Passing lightly over the year 1821 — which, in the domestic

proceedings of the Society, presents nothing very material

to record, except its steady advance and prosperity — we

come, in the autumn of the following year, to an event which

* See Appendix of Seventeenth Report.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 8.5

moved the deep s^-mpathies of the friends of the Institution, HOME.

and spread among them a feeling of irretrievable loss. On q^~ yj

the 26th of September 1822, died the Rev. John Owen, -

the much distinguished, indefatigable, and devoted Secretary

of the Society. Death of

•^ Rev. J.

Mr. Owen, it w^ill be recollected, attended the first General Owen.
Meeting, and moved the series of Resolutions which were
then adopted as the basis of the Society. He was not, how-
ever, appointed Secretary till a few weeks later, when the ^^'^ effec-
Rev. Josiah Pratt, who had temporarily held the office, valuable
resigned in his favour. From that time all the energies both s^'^^'*^^^-
of his mmd and body were devoted to the undertaking, in
connection with his fellow Secretaries, Hughes and Steinkopflf.
These three colleagues, attached to one another by the ties of
friendship, and by the interest of the one great object to which
they gave their energies, formed an harmonious and well-
assorted union, at once representing and promoting the harmony
so happily characteristic of the Society. " Never," to use the
words of an able writer in the "^Eclectic Review," * " was an in-
dividual more admirably fitted for the work assigned him by
Divine Providence than the late Clerical Secretary. The public
thought so, who were witnesses only of his ready and command-
ing eloquence, of his wisdom, guided by an ever-watchful dis-
cretion ; his lively wit, never at war with a serious spirit ; his
fertile imagination, which seemed but the sparkling of a solid
mind ; his frankness and urbanity, which were evidently native
to his character. But those who knew something — few
could know all — of what he had to contend with personally and
officially in the cause of the Society ; the constant trial which
he had to sustain of his prudence and of his principles ; the
harassing demands made upon his physical powers of exertion ;
and the occasions which called for the display of all his dexterity,
conciliatory address, and sound practical wisdom ; — they only
can be aware of the value of his services and the strength
of his character. In the words of his respected colleague,
' One of the most efficient agents which the very first
of human Institutions ever had the happiness to employ is
gone.' "

* Vol. xxxvi. p. o(iO.

HISTORY OF THE

Memorial
of Com-
mittee.

HOME. The liglit in which the services of Mr. Owen were viewed

Chap^ VI. ^y those best capable of forming an estimate of them, may be

— gathered from the following Memorial of the Committee

adopted at a Meeting held September 30, 1822, the Right

Hon. Lord Teignmouth, President, in the Chair : — *

" In adverting to the afflicting dispensation, which has
deprived the British and Foreign Bible Society of the in-
valuable services of its late Secretary, the Committee cannot
resist the impulse of duty and affection, thus to record their
grateful testimony to his zeal and unwearied exertions.

*' As no one was more deeply impressed with a sense of the
great importance of the Institution to the best interests of
mankind, no one laboured more strenuously and effectually
to promote its influence and prosperity. To this object, which
was ever near to his heart, his time, his talents, and his
personal labours were unremittingly devoted. The corre-
spondence which his official situation imposed on him, was
alone sufficient to occupy the time which he could spare from
his professional duties; but the energies of a superior mind
enabled him to extend his care and attention to every branch
of the multifarious concerns of the Society, and to accomplish
more than could have been expected from individual efforts.
His pen and his voice were incessantly employed in its cause.
The former was frequently and vigorously exercised in
elucidatmg the principles of the Institution, or in defending its
character and conduct against misrepresentation or aggression.
To his pen the world is indebted for a luminous and authentic
history of the origin of the British and Foreign Bible Society,
and its progress during the first fifteen j^ears of its existence ;
in which the characters of truth and impartiality are
throughout conspicuous ; while his eloquence, so often and
successfully displayed in advocating the cause of the In-
stitution, impressed on his audiences that conviction of its
utility, which he himself so strongly felt, and which the
progressive experience of eighteen years has now so amply
confirmed.

" But his eloquence was entitled to a higher praise : it was
the effusion of a heart in which candour and liberality ever
* " Monthly Extracts," October 1822.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 87

predominated : it was characterized by tliat suavity of dis- HOME,
position which had endeared him to the affectionate esteem, ch^^vi
not only of his colleagues and the Committee, but of all who —
were in any way associated with him in transacting the
business of the Society ; while his great and diversified talents
commanded general respect and admiration, and never failed
to produce in Public Meetings an harmonious feehng of
mutual regard among all who had the privilege of attending
them.

"In the year 1818, Mr. Owen, at the suggestion of the
Committee, undertook a journey to the Continent, principally
with a view to the recovery of his health, which had materially
suffered in the cause of the Institution ; but also for the
purpose of visiting the Bible Societies in France and Switz-
erland.

"Of his conduct during this excursion, it is sufficient to
say that it tended to raise the reputation of the Institution
of which he was the representative ; and to cement the happy
union which had so long subsisted between the British and
Foreign Bible Society and its Continental associates ; and that
his advice and experience were eminently useful in forming
arrangements for the establishment of new Societies, or
for rendering those already existing more active and efficient.

"The Committee, while they deeply lament, individually
and collectively, the loss which the Society has sustained,
cannot but devoutly express their gratitude to Almighty God,
for having so long granted it the benefit of the zeal and talents
of their beloved associate : to the indefatigable exertion of
that zeal and those talents the British and Foreign Bible
Society, as far as regards human instrumentality, is essentially
indebted for its present prosperous state ; while to the same
cause must in a great measure be ascribed that indisposition
which has so fatally terminated."

The next important step was to fill up the vacancy which Appoint-
had been thus occasioned ; and the Committee, at the ensuing j^g° ^
Public Meeting, reported that, after a long-continued, con- Brandram.
scientious, and anxious research, they had felt most happy in
securing fur the office of Clerical Secretary the services of
the Rev. Andrew Brandram, M.A., Curate of Beckenham, in

HISTORY OF THE

HOME.

CUAP.VI.

1823.

Appoint-
ment of
Mr. Piatt
as Hono-
rary Libra-
rian.

Salaries
assigned to
the Secre-

Kent, and late of Oriel College, Oxford. The qualifications
of Mr. Brandram, though in many respects different from
those possessed by his predecessor, were soon proved to be such
as abundantly to justify the selection of the Committee, and
gained for him a large share of the esteem and confidence of
the Members of the Society in general.

At the same time Thomas Pell Piatt, Esq., Fellow of
Trinity College, Cambridge, was appointed to the office of
Honorary Librarian. This gentleman, in addition to other
eminent services which he had rendered the Institution, both
in its Domestic and Foreign departments, had, during the
intervening period after the death of Mr. Owen, assisted the
Secretaries in conducting the correspondence of the Society.
Under the above designation, Mr. Piatt not only had charge
of the Society's library, but took also the oversight of the
literary department of the Society in general, fulfilling the
duties afterwards discharged by the Superintendent of the
Translating and Editorial department.

Up to this period, the services of the Secretaries had been
rendered gratuitously ; but, after mature deliberation, a reso-
lution was now adopted, to attach to the office an annual salary.

The announcement of this resolution in the Annual Report
for 1823, was accompanied with some observations, intended
to explain and justify the course adopted. It was stated, that
in consequence of the gratifjdng success with which Divine
Providence had favoured the Society, the magnitude of its
effiarts and the variety of its relations had progressively in-
creased, and had thrown upon its Secretaries an accumulation
of labour, and a weight of responsibility, which could not have
been foreseen, and which, consequently, was not in the con-
templation of the Society, when it accepted their gratuitous ser-
vices. This prosperity, the Committee observe, had been mate-
rially promoted, so far as human means had been instrumental
in producing it, by the indefatigable exertions of the Secreta-
ries, to whose Christian zeal and disinterestedness they proceed
to offer a respectful acknowledgment, adding their conviction,
that to have required a gratuitous continuation of these labours,
would have been unbecoming the dignity of the Institution.
They further mention, that in adopting the amount stated.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY, 89

£300, they had been more influenced by an economical attention HOME,
to the finances of the Society, than by the consideration of a q^^" y^
compensation for services, which no salary could adequately —

1823.
remunerate.

The above arrangement vras accompanied with a slight
alteration in one of the laws of the Institution, which enacts,
that no person deriving any emolument from the Society
should be allowed to be a Member of the Committee. An
exception was now made in favour of the Secretaries for the
time being, that they might retain the privilege which they
had heretofore always enjoyed.

In the same year, the Society was called to mourn the
loss, and to record the worth, of Charles Grant, Esq., one of
the Vice-Presidents, and among the earliest and warmest
friends of the Institution. Mr. Ronneberg also, who had for
some years acted as Assistant Foreign Secretary, and whose
knowledge of the continental languages, combined with dili-
gent habits of business, and devotedness of heart to the cause,
had enabled him to render essential service in the department
to which he was attached, was removed by death. He was
succeeded by Mr. John Jackson, who continued to hold this
office till the year 1849.

The Auxiliaries, Branches, and Associations in England and increased
Wales exhibited this year no symptoms of decay. Large sums Contnbu-
were raised, evidence was given of much good effected, and Scotland,
the Scriptures continued to be introduced where they had
been previously but little known. In Scotland, a visit to Glas-
gow, undertaken by Mr. Dudley, was productive of happy
results. A Ladies' Branch Society was established, together
with eighteen Ladies' Associations. The Edinburgh Society,
and its Auxiliaries, seventy-six in number, remitted in Free
Contributions the sum of £1150. The Glasgow Society pre-
sented at this period the interesting spectacle of an Auxi-
liary surrounded by more than fifty Branch Societies and
Associations. The number of Bibles and Testaments
distributed by it, since its establishment, amounted to
18,438; and its receipts to above £J^4,450, of which more
than £7000 had been derived from its connected Asso-
ciations.

90 mSTORV OF THE

HOME. The extraordinary proportion of free contributions, when

CuAP. VI. compared with subscribers for Bibles, being nearly as three to

— one, afforded a gratifying proof of the abundant supply of the

Scriptures in the southern parts of Scotland. Of the Bible

subscribers to the Glasgow Associations, the great majority

were not natives of the country ; and it is a memorable fact,

that in a population exceeding 160,000, the ladies found but

two native families entirely destitute of the holy Scriptures,

though numbers ai^ailed themselves of the opportunity to

supply their children with copies.

Speech of It was shortly before this period, that the Rev. R. Daly,

R. Daly, ^^^^ Bishop of Cashel, at the Anniversary Meeting of the

on the need Society in London, bore the following testimony to the neces-

Scriptures. sity then existing for increased means of education in Ireland,

and to the special importance attaching to the measure of

printing the Scriptures in the native Irish.

*^In Antrim, Armagh, and Londonderry, the number of
children educated in Sunday Schools is, to the w^hole popu-
lation, in the proportion of one to twelve ; and these are
peaceable, quiet counties. But in the county of Limerick —
Limerick, too well known by its atrocities and murders — what
is the number of children educated there ? There are many
Avho will be surprised to hear, that it is only as one to nine
hundred and seventy-seven. In the whole of the province of
Ulster, it is as one to seventeen ; and in Munster, as one to
about five hundred. These are circumstances with which
many persons here are unacquainted. They look for the
cause of the evil in a place where they will not find it ; they
do not look for it in the ignorance of the Scriptures, and the
want of education for the people. I would now give some
information with regard to a large part of the population of
Ireland ; I mean those who speak the Irish language. In the
provinces of Munster and of Connaught I have taken the
trouble to ascertain, from different accounts, the number of
persons who speak only the Irish language, and who under-
stand no other ; and it appears that their number is no less
than two millions. And how are they provided with the
Scriptures ? I have been many years looking in booksellers'
shops and stalls for tlie whole Bible in the Irish language, and

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 91

I never saw but one, and I bought that as a curiosity, at the HOME,
price of two guineas. I went into a part of Ireland, where ^^ ~ yj
you seldom hear the Irish language, as they have English —
enough to answer a common question on the roads or in the
fields ; but I found Irish the language of their firesides. In
one place some good friends had set up a large Sunday School,
and one Sabbath there came in some young men to look at
what was going on ; I brought them our version of the Scrip-
tures, and the moment they saw it they turned away, and said
they could not read that book. I asked them if they would
read Irish. Yes, they said : if there were an Irish class they
would all come. I then got a schoolmaster to send his son,
who could read Irish, and in that place there is now an Irish
class, reading the Scriptures, where they before turned away
from the Scriptures with disgust. Now, are we not bound to
become all tilings to all men, if by any means we may save
some ? When the enemies of Paul heard him speak in their
native language, they kept the more silence : so it will be with
regard to the Irish : speak to them, in that language, the
words of everlasting life, and you will have their ears, and,
blessed be God, you will have their hearts also ; for faith
Cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

Hence, to meet the special need of the native Irish popu-
lation, thus aftectingly illustrated, it was resolved to print the Scriptures

entire Bible in the Irish character, as well as languaffe, after '" ^^^'^ "^-

tive Irish,
the version of the venerable Bishop Bedell, and a separate

edition of 20,000 copies of the New Testament was also pre-
pared. Large grants of the Scriptures were also made to the
Sunday School, and other Societies in Ireland.

For the benefit of Wales, a new edition of the Scriptures
in the Welsh language, with marginal references, was printed. Edition of

Welsh
Scriptures.

Thus vigorous, at this time, were the efforts, and highly ani-
mating the prospects, of the Society, in regard to its general
work.

The reported proceedings of the following year did not pre-
sent an aspect materially difiering from those of preceding years, steady pro-
There was indeed, an under current of feeling, which was g^^ss of the

^ • n • I'll o Society's

productive oi much anxiety and perplexity; but tlie surface operations,
of affairs in the Society's progress still appeared smooth, while,

1823.

92 HISTORY OF THE

HOME, botli at home and abroad, there were abundant proofs of real
ChapTvi. prosperity and success in all its usual departments of operation.
In the United Kingdom the work, on the whole, was ad-
vancing ; and although some inconvenience was experienced in
regard to Scotland, by an interdict having been obtained by
His Majesty's printers for Scotland, against the importation
into that country of Scriptures printed in England, its chief
effect was to diminish the amount of receipts for sales from the
Depository in London ; the Auxiliaries in Scotland being hence-
forward obliged to furnish themselves with Bibles and Testa-
ments printed in Scotland. > The remittances of contributions
from Scotland were still kept up, and the Edinburgh Society
undertook to superintend the printing of two editions of the
Gaelic Scriptures — one of the New Testament, the other of the
whole Bible.

The distributions of the Hibernian Bible Society exceeded
at this time those of any preceding year ; and the measure
already referred to, of printing the Irish Bible, appeared to
obtain general approbation. The grants made this year to the
Hibernian School Society, the Sunday School Society, and
other Institutions for Ireland, amounted to nearly 80,000
copies.

Of the transactions of the year 1825, also, much the
same general report may be given. Thovigh the attention
of the Committee, and of the Society at large, became greatly
occupied with the subject already alluded to, namely, the con-
troversy respecting the Apocrypha — which is reserved for
separate consideration in the next chapter, — yet its general pro-
ceedings suffered but little interruption. While Dr. Pinkerton
was occupied on the Continent in visiting the chief Bible So-
cieties in no less than seven kingdoms ; the Auxiliary Societies
at home were faithfully and diligently prosecuting their labours,
and reciprocating the confidence placed in them by the Parent
Society, by their steady adherence, cordial sympathy, and un-
relaxed co-operation ; and on the whole the work of the So-
ciety, in all its different departments, was prosecuted with
vigour and gratifying success.

One highly important measure was adopted this year, with
a view to extend the Society's usefulness among the poor : it

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 93

was that of supplying Sunday Schools with Bibles and Testa- HOME,
ments at what was then deemed a very reduced price— the chap. VI.
Nonpareil Bible at 2s., the Brevier Testament at ^d., for —
school stock. This reduction proved a very acceptable boon.

The annals of the Society become now more and more Death of
marked, by the losses which the hand of death, in the progress J^Jg^^u^"
of time, inflicts on all human associations. The Society had
this year to mourn the loss, among other friends, of the vene-
rable Dr. Barrington, Bishop of Durham, one of the earliest,
and at all times one of the warmest Patrons of the Institution,
of which he was also a liberal benefactor. His Lordship's
name appeared in the first list of the Vice-Presidents of the
Institution, of which he took every opportunity, both publicly
and privately, of avowing his hearty approbation.

94 HISTORY OF THE

1825.

CHAPTER YII.

THE APOCRYPHAL CONTROVERSY, AND ITS RESULTS.

1825-1827.

Historical remarhs on the Apocrypha : — Its intermixed distri-
hution in the Septuagint text — First exhibited in separate ar-
rangement by Luther — Retained also by the English Trans-
lators.— Account of the Society's j)rocedure ivith respect to it;
and final resolution for its exclusion. — Ultimate results of the
controversy.

HOME. The present chapter introduces us to a state of things in the
Chap~VII. Society's history far different from that which it has hitherto
been our privilege to record. Up to this time, we have beheld
the Society pursuing a course of much harmony and pro-
sperity ; multiplying its resources, and extending its operations
from year to year, till it had now acquired an amount of in-

o,, . fluence, both at home and abroad, that placed it at the head

The Apo- ' ..... p 1 TT-

cryphal of the benevolent and religious institutions of the age. Hi-

versv"" therto, also, however much assaulted from without — and its
opponents, as we have seen, were neither few nor of mean
note — it had, through the favour of God, enjoyed much internal
tranquillity and harmony. The simplicity, no less than the
magnitude of the object, which had done so much to draw
religious men together, contributed to preserve them in
unity. The spirit of Christian love, shedding its balmy in-
fluence on their hearts, promoted a disposition to mutual con-
fidence, and checked the rise of irritating feelings ; and thus
the Society presented, to a very great extent, the spectacle of
an unbroken fellowship.

But now the scene was to be changed, and we are called to
look upon the sad spectacle of discussion and debate within
the circle of the Society's warm supporters. The immediate
occasion of this was the controversy which arose on the subject
of the Apocrypha.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 95

The writings which pass under tlie name of " the Apocrypha," HOME,
though not found in the Hebrew Canon, were at an early pe- cuapTvii.
riod attached to the inspired hooks of the Old Testament in —
the Greek Septuagint, and they were thence transferred
to the Latin Vulgate, and from the Greek and Latin, to versions ^Qti^gg^^Jg,
in other languages. When the New Testament Scriptures specting
were added to the Old, the Apocrypha retained its former erypiia."
place in the entire compilation, now used by the Christian
Church. Down to the Reformation, the Apocryphal writings ^^ P|a«e in
were continued in their original loose order, being inter- uagint
spersed among the inspired books of the Old Testament, '^'ersiou.
according to their presumed appropriate places, as exem-
plified in the Septuagint ; accompanied, however, for the
most part, with some distinctive notice, or mark, to show that
they were not regarded in the same light as the inspired
canonical writings.

At the period of the Reformation, these Apocryphal Books Eetaiued
were, by Luther and others, detached from this intermixture, form^by
and placed in a part of the volume by themselves, in which Luther.
form they appear in all the Protestant versions ; and they were
generally accompanied with a longer or shorter notice, showing
their true character.

The Council of Trent took upon itself to declare these books Pro-
" sacred and canonical," and " to be received and venerated Canonkal
with the same sentiments of piety and reverence," as the other by the
Scriptures. Still, however, the prologues of St. Jerome w^ere Treut.
retained, and also certain monitory notes, which he had intro-
duced into the body of the Text, to mark the redundancies.
But from most of the Modern Roman Catholic Bibles these
notes and marks have disappeared.

Our English translators and reformers, like those on the Retained
Continent, retained the Apocryphal Books ; carefully, indeed, £^*^sh
distinguishing them from the inspired writings, but still trans- trans-
lating them, and allowing them a place in the Sacred Volume,
between the Old and New Testaments. And in this form, the
English authorized version of the Bible continued to be printed,
especially when required for ecclesiastical purposes, as the
English Church appoints lessons from the Apocrypha to be read
in its public services, though not to " establish any doctrine,"

lators.

1825.

96 HISTORY OF THE

HOME, yet for "example of life and instruction of manners."
CHArviI. The Apocrypha, however, had gone very much out of
use and repute in this country at the period when the Bible
Society was instituted: several smaller-sized editions of the
Bible, which excluded these spurious writings, were accus-
tomed to be published ; and it may be added, that no edition
of the English Scriptures, adopted and issued hij the Bible
Society, has ever contained the Apocrypha.'^ It was only in
reference to foreign countries and churches, that the question
was at any time agitated, and that only in the case of versions
in which the Apocrypha already existed ; for as to any new
translations, assisted or sanctioned by the Society, the idea of
introducing the Apocrypha into them was never for one
moment entertained.

When the Bible Society was formed, the success and extent
of its operations abroad were neither foreseen, nor prepared
for. Its founders, in framing its laws, were careful to guard
Earlier against notes and comments ; but, as no impediment existed
ofThe'so- ^^ *^^^ omission of the Apocrypha at home, it probably never
ciety re- occurred to them, that this might one day prove a hindrance
specting It. ^^ ^j^^ ^^^^j^ ^^ ^j^^ Society in other countries. The state of

the Continent was then but imperfectly known, and the sub-
ject of foreign versions of the Scriptures, and of the editions
used by Protestants, Roman Catholics, and Greeks, had not
been specially adverted to, nor was it anticipated that the views
and prejudices of these bodies would ever interfere with the
Society's operations. Of the cautious manner in which the
directors were disposed to proceed, in a new and untrodden
path, examples have been already cited. In the case of the
Esquimaux Testament, they declined to sanction the printing
of a " Harmony," because it disturbed the usual order of the
Canon ; and in the instance of the application made by
the Nuremberg Society, they hesitated to allow an ex-
change of 1000 Protestant Testaments for an equal number
of the Roman Catholic version, as they had not then con-
sidered whether it was necessary or expedient to employ any

* One exception ha.s been charged upon the Society in the case of
some copies of a certain edition, but this arose entirely from a mistake of
the printers. See Dr. Steinkopff's Letters to Haldane, p. .3.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 97

but Protestant versions. Subsequently, however, tliey yielded HOME,
this point, and it became, and continues to be, the practice of chapTviI.
the Society, to give to different religious bodies their own ac- — _
credited versions, provided there are satisfactory reasons to
believe that they are, upon the whole, faithful. But more of
this hereafter.

The plans of the Society had come into operation but a short Aversion of
time, when practical difficulties, as to the Apocrypha, began to qII^^^H^^^
show themselves. The Protestant Churches of the Continent, abroad to
like the English Church, had, from the period of the Reforma- elusion,
tion, been accustomed to append the Apocrypha to their
Bibles, and they were not prepared at once to relinquish it.
In Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Switzerland, France, and else-
wdiere, the Apocrypha was, and is still, held in great vene-
ration ; and this, as is well known, is more fully the case in the
Roman Catholic, Greek, and other ancient Churches.

When encouragement was first held out to some of the Pro-
testant Societies on the Continent, to print editions of the
Scriptures in their respective languages, it does not appear
that the Apocrypha was in any way referred to. But
when the attention of these Societies was called to the sub-
ject, by the fact of Bibles without the Apocrypha appearing,
or being proposed, considerable uneasiness began to manifest
itself. The copies, thus issued, were represented as unaccept-
able, and, it may be, the jealousy of the ecclesiastical autho-
rities of these foreign communities, was excited at what they
might, not unnaturally, consider as a tampering, on the part
of England, with their recognised standards.

The directors of the Society at home became thus involved First
in perplexity. They at first attempted to obtain the omission the'sodety
of the Apocrypha, on the part of the Continental Societies, to secure
Thus Dr. SteinkopfF, on a visit which he paid to the Continent sion, I812.
in 1812, was distinctly charged with this duty in regard to
the Lithuanian Bible, then about to be printed.* Remonstrances,
however, having been received from the Societies at Berlin,
Stockholm, St. Petersburgh, and other places, it was agreed, by
the Committee, in June 1813, "that the manner of printing

* See Miniite, .Tuly 6, 1812.
H

HISTORY OF THE

HOME.

CIIAP.VJI.

Minute
adopted
August
1822.

the Holy Scriptures by Foreign Societies be left to their dis-
cretion, provided thej be printed without note or comment."

To this resolution the Committee was brought, not from
any fondness for the Apocrypha itself, as is evident from
their having omitted it in several editions of the Foreign
Scriptures printed by or for the Society, and from their
having, as we have seen, urged its omission in all. They
yielded to what appeared to them a case of necessity ; but they
did not deem that this concession involved any thing un-
scriptural or wrong. It was a question, as it then presented
itself to them, between communicating Bibles in the manner
in which they had been issued both before, and since the Re-
formation, or not communicating them at all.

The consequence of the abovg decision was, that Bibles in
foreign languages, with the Apocrypha sometimes annexed
to the Canon, as in the versions used by the Protestant
Churches, and in other cases intermingled, as in those of the
Greek and Roman Catholic Churches, continued generally to
be circulated throughout the Continent, under the auspices of
the Society ; and even in our own country, some foreign
editions in the latter form were printed.

After a time, however, serious objections were urged on the
part of many members of the Society against the course
adopted. The subject was again distinctly brought before the
Committee, in Earl Street, in 1820, and it became a matter of
repeated grave discussion during the two succeeding years.
At length, in August 19, 1822, the following Resolution was
adopted : —

" That when grants shall be made to any of the Bible
Societies in connection with this Institution, which are accus-
tomed to circulate the Apocrypha, it be stated to such Societies,
that the attention of the Committee having been called to the
fundamental Rule of the Society, as limiting the application
of its funds to the circulation of the Holy Scriptures ; and it
appearing that this view of the said Rule has been taken from
the beginning by the great body of its members ; the Com-
mittee, anxious on the one hand to keep entire good faith with all
the members of the Society, and, on the other, to maintain unim-
paired the friendly intercourse which it has had the happiness

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 99

SO long to hold with Bible Societies which circulate books HOME,
esteemed Apocryphal in this country, request of those Societies cn\p~VII.
that they will appropriate all future grants which they may —
receive from the British and Foreign Bible Society exclusively
to the printing of the Books of the Old and New Testament as
generally received in this country ; such Societies remaining
at full liberty to apply their own funds in whatever way, as to
the printing and circulation of the Apocrypha, it may seem
good to them."

Discussions having subsequently taken place upon the Subsequent
meaning and extent of this Resolution, it became evident that 'ii*^cussions:
a more explicit one was necessary; and, in December 1824,
after a renewed and deliberate consideration of the whole
matter, the following was adopted : —

" That no pecuniary grant be made by the Committee j^^^^ j^gg^.
of this Society, for the purpose of aiding the printina; or pub- lution of
r 1 • r T.- r.i- T3M1 • 1 • 1 .1 A 1 December

lishmg ot any edition ot the Bible, in which the Apocrypha i824.

shall be mixed and interspersed with the Canonical Books of
the Holy Scriptures ; and that grants of money to Foreign So-
cieties, which are accustomed to publish Bibles containing the
Apocrypha, but separate and distinct from the Canonical
Books, be made under an express stipulation, and the as-
surance of the parties receiving the same, that such grants
shall be exclusively applied to printing and publishing the
Canonical Books only."

This Resolution, however, equally with the former, failed to Dissent of
set the subject at rest. The Edinburgh Bible Society, which b^r^B^we
had by this time taken a prominent part in the question at Society,
issue, strongly objected to the above Resolution, and, in Fe-
bruary 1825, transmitted to the Committee at Earl Street " its
firm but respectful remonstrance," in considerable detail.*

Another protest against this Resolution, but on an opposite
ground, was, in March 1825, submitted to the Society in
London, by twenty-six members of the University of Cam-
bridge. They urged, against the Resolution, " That it was
a violation of one of the grand and fundamental principles
of the Society, namely, that of uniting in one common work
the eiforts of all Christian communities, and would cut off
* See Edinburg-li Statement.
h2

1825.

100 HISTORY OF THE

HOME, some of the largest and most promising branches of the
Chap. VII. Society's labours, by giving up, in some quarters, the only
way in which any part of the word of God can be circulated ;
and, in other quarters, the only way in which the Old Testa-
ment can be circulated with the Ncav."*

Placed thus painfully between two conflicting parties, the

Minute of Committee, with the view of clearing the ground for another

1825. ' and impartial consideration of the subject, at once resolved,

March 7, 1825, that all the Resolutions of this Committee

relative to the Apocrypha be rescinded.

In the ensuing month, another effort was made to bring this
April 22, prolonged discussion to a close ; and, on the recommendation
'•''"•'• of a Special Committee, it was now, by the General Com-

mittee, resolved, " not to print or circulate the Apocryphal
Books; and, at the same time, to use their best endeavours to aid
the circulation of the Inspired Volume in all foreign countries,
by grants of the Canonical Books, in whole or in part, without
interfering with the future distribution of the same, whether
with or without the Apocryphal Books."

But this Resolution, again, was considered by many as un-
satisfactory, since it left the point of money grants unnoticed,
and, by sanctioning the granting of the Canonical Books in
parts, gave, as it was contended, facilities to the annexation
and interspersion of the Apocrypha.

At this juncture, the Edinburgh Committee, from whom
expressions of dissatisfaction on the course pursued in regard
to the Apocrypha had chiefly emanated, resolved to discon-
tinue "their remittances" to the Society in London till their
"friendly intercourse" should be renewed, "by the re-
moval of the circumstances which led to its interruption ;"
and some few Auxiliary Societies, both in England and Wales,
sent up remonstrances on the subject, whilst others sought
official explanations.

It had now become evident that some further restriction was
The -whole required, even by many of the Society's best friends. Accord-
question ingly, the uhole subject of the Apocrypha was again referred to a
dered. Special Committee, in which to undergo " a careful and de-

* For the protest at length see " Venn's Remarks." The names at-
tached to this document will be found in Appendix I. Note D.

1825.

solution,

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 101

liberate consideration." This Committee consisted of the HOME.
President, five of the Vice-Presidents, six Clerical and six Lay cii4.p~Vii
members, together with the three Secretaries, in all twenty-
one members ; * and the result of their anxious deliberations
was a recommendation, which was accepted bj the General
Committee, and embodied in a Resolution. This forms the basis
of those " Fundamental Regulations " which were afterwards
adopted, and confirmed at two Annual General Meetings of the
Society, and which have continued to guide the practice of the
Society to the present time. The Resolution was as follows: — f

" That the Funds of the Society be applied to the printing
and circulation of the Canonical Books of Scripture, to the Fiual Re-
exclusion of those Books, and parts of Books, which are usually
termed Apocryphal; and that all copies printed, either en-
tirely or in part, at the expense of the Society, and whether
such copies consist of the whole or of any one or more of such
Books, be invariably issued bound ; no other Books whatever
being bound with them : and, further, that all money grants
to Societies and individuals be made only in conformity with
tlie principle of this regulation."

The Regulations which, after further consideration, were sub-
mitted to, and adopted at, the Annual General Meetings in 1826
and 1827, and which are regularly printed in the Annual Report as
part of the fmidamental Rules of the Society, are as follows : —

" I. That the fundamental law of the Society, which limits
its operations to the circulation of the Holy Scriptures, be and Regu-
fully and distinctly recognised as excluding the circulation of
the Apocrypha.

latious.

* The names of this Committee were —
Lord Teignmouth, President.
Bishop of Lichfield and Co-
ventry.
Lord Bexley.
Lord Calthorpe.
Sir R. H, Iivglxs.

W. WiLBERFORCE.

Rev. J. W. Cunningham.
„ W. Dealtry.
„ W. Orme.

„ J. Pratt. „ C. F. Steinkopff.

t Minute of Committee, November 21, lS2o.

Rev. C. Simeon.

„ D. Thorpe.
Thomas Allan.
J. Butterworth.
Z. Macaulay.
R. Phillips.
R. Steven.
J. Trueman.
Rev. a. Brandram.

„■ J. Hughes.

102

HISTORY OF THE

HOME.

Chap.VII.

1825.

Cordial ac-
quiescence
in Eng-
land, &c.

Dissatis-
faction in
Scotland.

" II. That, in conformity to the previous Resolution, no pe-
cuniary aid can be granted to any Society circulating the
Apocrypha ; nor, except for the purpose of being applied in
conformity to the said Resolution, to any individual
"whatever.

III. That, in all cases in which grants, whether gratuitous
or otherwise, of the Holy Scriptures, either in whole or in
part, shall be made to any Society, tlie books be issued bound,
and on the express condition that they shall be distributed
without alteration or addition.

" IV. That all grants of the Scriptures to Societies which
circulate the Apocrypha, be made under the express condition
that they be sold or distributed without alteration or addition ;
and that the proceeds of the sales of any such copies of the
Scriptures be held at the disposal of the British and Foreign
Bible Society."*

The Resolution of November 1825, above referred to, was,
immediately after its adoption, inserted in the " Monthly Ex-
tracts," December 1825, and otherwise extensively issued, ac-
companied with a Circular signed by the Secretaries ; and,
in England, it appears to have met with general acceptance,
especially in the expanded form in which it afterwards
appeared in the Regulations. A large number of the Auxi-
liaries transmitted Resolutions to the Parent Society expressive
of their satisfaction with the decision arrived at, together with
assurances of confidence and goodwilL

But a different feeling prevailed in Scotland. The subject
had been taken up there with great earnestness and warmth.
The concessions made by the Committee to ancient ecclesiastical
usages, and to what were supposed to be the insuperable pre-
judices of the Continental Societies and Churches in favour of
the Apocrypha, had been represented as being a " direct vio-
lation of the fundamental law of the Society," as well as a
" tampering with the canon of inspired Scripture ;" and these
charges were reiterated and adhered to. To the latter of these
charges the Society would only be obnoxious in common with all
the ancient Churches, as the Greek, Latin, Armenian, Syrian,

This Reg'ulation was not adopted till 18-J'

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 103

Coptic, Sclavonic, &c., and also most of the Reformed HOME.
Churches.* Chap. VII.

With regard to the former charge, that there had been a di- ^— ^
rect violation of the fundamental law of the Society — those of the
Society's Directors who had yielded to, and, under a sense of its ^j^'^'^J '^
necessity, pleaded for the annexation of the Apocrypha in some ^^^.^I^^J^^^
of the Foreign Versions, certainly did not conceive, or admit, churches.
that this was a direct, or even a virtual violation of the Laws
of the Society : they did not regard the Apocrypha as coming
under the head of " Notes and Comments ;" and the place it
had so long been accustomed to hold, as an adjunct of the
Inspired Scriptures, and a part of the Book called the Bible,
led them to think that, under all the peculiarities of the case,
they were not wrong in allowing the Scriptui'es to be issued in
a form sanctioned by the respective Churches and Communions
for which they were intended. With these parties it was
never a question of inspiration or Divine authority, but simply
one of Ecclesiastical usage. Owing to the circumstance of
the Apocrypha having very much ceased to be bound up with
the English Bible, there was no difficulty, when the Bible
Society was formed, in not including it in any of the English
and Welsh Scriptures circulated by the Society. It was only
when the churches on the Continent, whose Ecclesiastical
usages had been less disturbed than ours, showed a repug-
nance to receive and circulate the Bible without it, that it was
thought, by some, that the point might be conceded, espe-
cially as the Rules and Constitution of the Bible Society did
not, in their apprehension, absolutely prohibit it.

Nor were these views confined to those who were more im-
mediately entrusted with the direction of the Society's affairs.
A considerable number of its warm and influential friends were
prepared to vindicate the course pursued, and some, as we
have seen, formally protested against its abandonment. The
voice of the majority was, however, doubtless against the
practice ; and when the final decision of the Committee came
to be generally known, there were, perhaps, comparatively

* It is worthy of remark, tliat the several Dissenting: communities,
hoth in Eng-larid and Scotland, following- in the steps of the Puritans,
have always repudiated the Apocrypha.

104

HISTORY OF THE

Continued
dissatis-
faction ill
Scotland.

HOME, few who did not sincerely rejoice in it. Even those who had
CuAP.Vil. protested against it, at last willingly acquiesced in the change,
~ when they perceived the injury likely to arise to the Society
in this country, by the continued agitation of the subject,
and when they further were brought to perceive, that by the
strict Rules of the Society, all those prefaces, prologues,
headings, and notes, were excluded, which had been employed
to warn the reader of the real uninspired character of the
Apocryphal writings. And it is but justice to say that some
of them became amongst the most zealous and watchful in
resisting all measures in connection with the Bible Society,
which could, by any fair consequence, tend to countenance the
circulation of the Apocrypha.*

But the friends in Scotland still were not satisfied.
The strong feeling entertained against the Apocrypha, and a
mistrust of the Society's whole administration, which had been
excited, and industriously fomented, in that country, by some
whose opinions and writings greatly swayed the public mind,
tended to produce in that quarter a suspicion and jealousy of
every thing that proceeded from Earl Street. The Resolutions
of the Committee were pronounced to be evasive, or capable of
being evaded ; and it was demanded that the Executive of the
Society, both at home and abroad, should be changed, or so
re-modified, that none should be retained in the service of the
Society, who had been mixed up with the Society's later pro-
ceedings, or who were supposed to have been favourable to
Apocrypha circulation. These, and some similar requirements,
not being acceded to, the Auxiliary Societies in Scotland, with
few exceptions, withdrew from the Parent Society. Thenceforth
their Bible operations were carried on separately; and, up
to this time, tliough all irritated feeling has happily been
greatly allayed, the former full and harmonious co-operation
with the Society, in the work of Bible distribution, has not
been restored.

There were other matters introduced in these contro-
versies, and made the subject of censure, such as, the general

• This was eminently the case with Mr. Brandram, the Clerical Se-
cretary.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 105

management of the funds, the agencies of Professor Kieffer, HOME.

of Paris, and Dr. Leander Van Ess, of Darmstadt, together ChapTviI.

with the circumstance of the Strasburg Preface, and the Lau- —
T^M 1 h > 1825.

sanne .bible.

To satisfy inquiries that had been made relative to the ma- ^^°<^''y
nagement of the funds of the Society, the Committee were in- against the
duced to publish a more detailed balance-sheet than the Com- A*geucy!
mittees of preceding years, conscious of their own integrity, had
felt to be necessary.*

With reference to the complaints made, touching the
employment and remuneration of Professor Kieffer and Dr.
Van Ess, in whom great confidence had been placed, the
Committee, after reviewing all the circumstances connected
with their highly important and extensive labours, did not
conceive that they exceeded the bounds of propriety in con-
tinuing the remuneration severally assigned to them. They
further judged, that these individuals stood too high in
general esteem on the Continent, to make it at all necessary to
enter into their defence, by adducing, as might have been
done, the strongest testimonials on their behalf. For the satis-
faction, however, of the subscribers, a specimen of the accounts
of each was published, with a view of showing the accurate
manner in which they attended to the affairs confided to
them.f

A serious charge was brought against the Society, from
the circumstance of there having been a preface affixed to an
edition of the German Bible, published at Strasburg. The
Committee in consequence issued a publication, containing
their " minutes and proceedings " in regard thereto, tending to
show, that, immediately on receiving information of the ex-
istence of such preface, they had remonstrated against it, and
continued to prosecute the matter, until it was entirely re-
moved, and all expenses incurred by it, refunded. |

The objections to the Lausanne Bible were of a different
nature : they related to the character of tlie text itself, which

* See Monthly Extracts, No. 110, September 1826.

t See Appendix of Twenty- third Report, p. 110 and 148.

I See " Minutes," &c., relating- to the above preiace. 18-J6.

106 HISTORY OF THE

HOME, was a revised edition of Ostervald's French version, pub-
Chap.VII. lished at Lausanne in 1822. In regard to this work, it was

— alleged that the revision had been entrusted to unsuitable and
]«26. . ° , . . .

incompetent persons ; that it was, m many instances, incorrect

and erroneous; and that the Committee of the British and
Foreign Bible Society had been remiss in the measures taken
by them to secure the faithful execution of a work, which had
been assisted by a considerable grant from its funds. To meet
this charge, also, at least so far as regarded themselves, the
Committee published their " Minutes" relating to the trans-
action, accompanied by the official correspondence which took
place on the occasion.*

With the publication of these several statements and expla-
nations, and the brief references made to the subject in the
ensuing Annual Eeports, the official defence of the Society
ceased ; but the subjects continued to be agitated, and nume-
rous Explanations and Defences were issued by friends of the
Society, including some who, though alienated or hesitating
for a time, were afterwards ranged among its warmest sup-
porters.
Ee-union Among the most important of these documents may be
of Society's named a " series of Resolutions " passed at a " Meeting of the
inScotland. friends of the British and Foreign Bible Society at Edinburgh,
June 14, 1827," when a "Committee of Correspondence" with
the British and Foreign Bible Society was appointed, consist-
ing of twenty-seven ministers and other gentlemen of high
respectability.f These Resolutions, as coming from a circle of
friends who had been themselves amongst the earliest and most
conscientious opposers of the Apocrypha, and who now ex-
pressed their satisfaction with "the Regulations of 1826 and
1827," and "their entire confidence in the integrity and up-
rightness of those men whose office it was to carry those
Resolutions into effect," could not but prove peculiarly
welcome and gratifying to the Committee of the Parent
Society.

A " Statement" was also put forth by the above body, in

* See " Minutes of Committee " relating- to Lausanne Bible, 18-2G.
t " Monthly Extracts," .July 1827.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY* 107

vindication of their conduct in resuming a friendly communi- HOME,
cation with the Society ; than which nothing can be appealed cg^TviI
to, as containing a clearer or fuller explanation and elucidation —
of the several points at issue in that part of the controversy
to which it refers.*

But we must bring our review of these discussions to a Effect of
close. Painful as was the character of this controversy at the ^^^^^
time, and in some of its consequences much to be regretted,
it was not without its advantages to the Society. The line of
duty became thenceforth clearly defined and settled, all doubt
and ambiguity relating to the meaning and latitude of the laws
was removed, and a question, which had long agitated the
Committee and many of the Society's friends, was finally set
at rest. Thus an incubus was taken off, and the Society
seemed to breathe again more freely.

Abroad, too, the discussion was of service. The Apocrypha Outl^^Con-

' ' , . tinent,

was not, indeed, abandoned so readily and extensively as some

persons had predicted. f A few only, of the continental So-
cieties, could be induced to give it up, and it has of late years
become the occasion of increased ill will and hindrance in some
quarters. Still, however, very important counterbalancing
advantages have resulted to the cause of divine truth. The
work of the Society' has been simplified, and the course adopted
has operated as a silent, constant, and not altogether ineffica-
cious protest against the Apocrypha, which has led, in many
instances, to a re-examination of its pretensions, and a rejec-
tion of its claims.

And may we not hope that there were benefits of another f"^' ^*

n- 1 1 home.

kind, resulting to the Society from the severe conflicts through

which it had, on this occasion, been called to pass ? Its rapid

and extraordinary prosperity, the harmony and zeal which had

everywhere prevailed within the circle of its operations, had

perhaps led to an undue confidence in man— an overwrought

elevation of spirit; and it may have been, that this afflictive

dispensation was permitted to come upon it to humble it, and

* See " Statement of the Edinburgh Corresponding- Committee," and
tilso " Statement of the Glasgow Auxiliary," on the same subject.

t For numerous letters on this subject, see Corresjiondence in the Ap-
pendix of Twenty-third Annual Report.

108 HISTORY OF THE

HOME, to prove it; and to prepare it, thus chastened, more safely to
CnATyvil. I'eap the larger measure of success which, through God's
— favour, it was destined afterwards to enjoy. It is sometimes
good for Societies, as well as individuals, to be " afflicted,"
that they may be led to search and discover if in any thing
they have " gone astray," and that they may be stirred up for
the future to be more diligent and faithful in " keeping God's
word."

That such benefits were at least earnestly desired by the
Directors of the Society, on behalf of themselves and their
friends, may be gathered from the manner in which the subject
is alluded to in the conclusion of the Annual Report for 1827.
After a review of the transactions of the year, which gave, as
they considered, on the whole, occasion for great joy, they pro-
ceed to say — " There are, indeed, circumstances connected with
the past, as well as anticipations with respect to the future,
which will throw over that joy a chastened character. But
such a chastened joy, they may observe, is perhaps best be-
fitting every human institution. The Society has passed the
days of its youth ; and if all the ardent hopes and expectations
in which, as is the manner of the young, it may have indulged,
have not been realized, it has more than enough received
encouragement to gird itself up, in the years of its maturity, at
which it has now arrived, to renewed and increased exertion.
If its labours shall meet with a less measure of approbation
than that with which they have been hailed in former times,
a heart-stirring inquiry will be made, whether the favour of
Him, whose favour is life, is enjoyed, and a more simple desire
will be created to secure His approbation. If, in former times,
looking at the delightful harmony, union, and love, which
evei'ywhere prevailed within the circle of the Society's opera-
tions, a confidence of strength was felt, that confidence led,
perhaps, to an exultation, similar to that experienced by the
Psalmist, who writes — ' In my prosperity I said I shall never
be moved.' He coupled with this an acknowledgment, doubt-
less sincere, ' Lord, by thy favour thou hast made my moun-
tain to stand strong.' An afflictive dispensation soon befel
him, and induced him to repair right humbly to his God ; and
if such a view of the trials of the Society shall be taken by the

BRITISH AND TOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 109

Subscribers and tbe Committee, the Society shall with the HOME.
Psalmist exclaim, ' Thou hast turned my mourning into ciiap~VII.
dancina; ; thou hast put off my sackcloth, and s;irded me with —
gladness ; to the end that my glory may sing praise to thee,
and not be silent. O Lord, my God, I will give thanks unto
thee for ever.' "

110 HISTORY OF THE

CHAPTER YIII.

EXTENSION OF THE AUXILIARY SYSTEM, AND ATTACK ON

THE society's VERSIONS.

182G — 18-29.

Rev. Dr. Steinkopff's resignation — Renewed assurance of confi-
dence from Avxiliaries— Visit of Dr. Pinlierton and Rev. R.
Sibthorp to the Continental Societies — Rapid increase of Auxi-
liaries, by means of increased Home Agency— Attack on the
Society's versions — Vindication by Mr. Piatt and Mr. Green-
field— A2)2yointment of Mr. Greenfield to Editorial Supervision
of Foreign versions — Jlis Death.

HOME. After the ample explanation given in the preceding chapter,
_, — on a subject which occupied several years in its discussion,
""■_ ' and which, in order to a complete view of it, required that
^^^^- dates should be anticipated, we now resume the narrative of
the Society's ordinary and more peaceful proceedings — a peace-
fulness, however, which was destined, ere long, to be again
disturbed.
Resigna- One event took place at that period of the Society's domestic

history to which we now recur, which awakened very ex-
tensively feelings of deep regret : this was the resignation by
Dr. Steinkopff of the office of Foreign Secretary, which he
had held from the formation of the Society. His immediate
motive for taking this step, as he explains in a beautiful and
touching letter, which he addressed to the Committee,* was
the state of his health, which had been for some time such as
to lead him to anticipate a retiremoit from his official duties,
especially since they had now become more onerous and over-
whelming to him, in consequence of the complication of diffi-
culties to which, in his opinion, the Apocryphal agitation had
given rise.

The Committee put on record their expression of deep con-
* See Twenty-third Annual Report, Appendix.

tion of Dr.
Steinkopff;

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. HI

cern at the loss of these invaluable services, in a Minute passed HOME,
on the occasion, and from which the following extract was Ch.Vtii.
transferred to the ensuing Annual Report : — * —

"Of the magnitude, extent, and beneficial effects of the
services of Dr. Steinkopff, both at home and abroad, during a ^°fg g^j!^"
period of more than twenty-two years, an adequate opinion vices.
can only be formed by those who were witnesses of them, or
have the means of access to the records of the Society, in
which they occupy so large a space. Of the zeal, the cheer-
fulness, and the patient assiduity, w^ith which they were per-
formed, the members of every successive Committee of the
Society can bear the most ample testimony. Nor is it to be
forgotten that, for eighteen years, those services, which durhig
a considerable portion of that period, occupied nearly his whole
time and attention, were gratuitously performed ; and that the
salary, which was afterwards annexed to his office, was wholly
unsolicited, and reluctantly accepted.

" Never were services rendered by any public functionary
more disinterested than those of Dr. Steinkopff. His colleagues
and the Committee, will long cherish the remembrance of the
truly Christian spirit, that ever tempered the ardent zeal which
animated his exertions, and endeared him to their affections."

But though released from the responsibilities of office, the
labours of Dr. Steinkopff in the cause of the Society by no
means ceased. His sincere and unshaken attachment to the
Institution, led him to embrace every opportunity of promoting
its interests, whether by his counsel, or by his active personal
services; and twenty-seven years afterwards, he was found
still as fresh as ever in his affection for it, taking his full share
of interest and delight, in the arrival and celebration of the
Jubilee year of the Society's history.

The general work of the Society, during the recent stormy Uuabated
period, never ceased, scarcely was it relaxed, nor was its prosperity
mcome dnumished to any great extent, as might have been ciety.
apprehended. Though the vessel had been in troubled waters,
and at times, as some had thought, in no small peril, still it was
enabled to hold on its way. This is the more remarkable,

* See Twenty-third Annual Report, p. xxi.

112

HISTOEY OF THE

HOME.

Cii.VIII.

1827.

Grants to
Scotland.

and Ire-
land.

Renewed
expression
of confi-
dence from
Auxilia-

as the din of controversy had spread through the kingdom,
and there was scarcely an Auxihary, which had not been in-
dustriously supplied with statements and accusations against
the Society's proceedings, so that topics for discussion and dis-
union were most abundant. Still the Society retained its
hold on the attachment and support of its constituents, with
the exception of Scotland, and even there, some few Auxiharies
remained, or were newly instituted, as at Glasgow, Aberdeen,
Inverness, &c. ; and at Edinburgh a Corresponding Board
was formed, so that a medium was thus kept open for tlie So-
ciety's continued supply of the Scriptures to that country,
where, particularly among the Gaelic population, a conside-
rable destitution and demand was still found to exist. The
Annual Report for 1827, for instance, states, on the authority
of a communication from the Inverness Auxiliary, that there
were then more than 12,000 families in the Highlands, who
had not a single copy of any part of the Sacred Scriptures ;
many of them too poor to pay any part of the price of copies,
and most of them able to pay very little. 250 Gaelic Bibles,
and 500 Testaments, were immediately sent to that Auxiliary,
and 3000 more Gaelic Bibles and 1000 Testaments appro-
priated to the same purpose. 3500 Gaelic Testaments Avere
also voted to the Gaelic School Society in Edinburgh, 150 to
a Minister in Perthshire, and 500 Gaelic Bibles to the Society
in Scotland for Propagating Christian Knowledge, for the use
of the schools under their patronage. Large grants of the
Scriptures continued also to be made to Ireland, where the de-
mand for the Bible in the native Irish, had become increasingly
urgent.

From various parts of England, the Committee again
received the kindest assurances of confidence. Two new
Auxiliaries were formed, together with seventy Branch
Societies and Associations. The distributions of the Scrip-
tures from the Society's depository during the year 1827
amounted to 294,006 copies, being a larger number than that
of any preceding year. Three additions were also made to the
Society's list of Vice-Presidents : these were the Right Rev.
the Bishop of Llandaff, the Right Hon. Lord Farnham, and
Viscount Mandeville.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 113

The measure, announced in a preceding Cliapter, of lower- HOME,
ing the price of copies to Sunday schools, was hailed with very ch. Vhi.
general satisfaction, and acted upon by the conductors of those —
institutions to a considerable extent.

Thus the Committee had the joy and satisfaction, of bearing
the following testimony to the general results of this and the
preceding eventful and trying years ; — " The desire for tlie
Holy Scriptures remains unabated, and they have continued to
be willingly received where they have been offered ; and the
Reports of the Societies, both at home and abroad, have brouglit
a large measure of tidings of good, which there is reason to
hope has been eff'ected by the circulation of the sacred
volume."

In the summer of 1827, Dr. Pinkerton was deputed to pay Mission of
a visit to the continental Bible Societies. He was accom- ter'tfuTud
panied by the Rev. R. Waldo Sibthorp, who was invited to Rev. R.
undertake the journey, with the impression that it would afford ^jjg Conti-

additional satisfaction to the friends of the Society.* The ob- cental So-

n ■, . . . , 11 • cieties.

ject of their visit was, on the one hand, to remove misappre-
hensions, which, it was evident from the correspondence, existed
on the part of many Foreign Societies ; and, on the other, to
ascertain what more could be done, through the medium of
individual agency, where Societies might not feel at liberty to
accede to the wishes of the British and Foreign Bible Society,
on the subject of circulating Bibles unaccompanied by the
Apocrypha.

This visit was preceded by a " Circular letter," addressed to Circular on
Foreign Bible Societies, consisting of various instructions to *f thTApo-
be observed by them in applying for, and appropriating grants cryphal
of Scriptures, and which the Deputation were instructed, tious.^"
when necessary, more fully to explain and enforce. Though
the document relates to the foreign transactions of the Society,
yet we think it right to refer to it here as illustrative of the
views entertained by the Committee at home, of the extent and
obligation of the Apocryphal regulations.!

* Mr. Sibthorp rendered this service free of any charge to the Society :
as a small token of gratitude, his name was enrolled on the hst of Hono-
rory Life Governors.

t See Appendix I. Note E. ;

114

HISTORY OF THE

HOME.

Ch.VIII.

1827.

Demand
for in-
creased
agency at
home.

Contribu-
tions from
Scotland.

Grants to
the High-
lands.

While the Committee were thus employed in endeavours
faithfully to carry out the Society's new regulations abroad, a
considerable measure of prosperity was vouchsafed to its
labours at home. Its issues for the year 1827 amounted to
336,270, being 42,264 more than in the precedmg year; and
fifty new Societies were added. The necessity for these in-
creased exertions was made manifest by the still extensive
destitution of the Scriptures which continually presented
itself. For instance, the Ladies' Associations at Birmingham
found, on commencing their labours, not fewer than 2000
families in that town and neighbourhood entirely without
the Scriptures. An inquiry, instituted in eighteen villages
out of sixty, within ten miles of a market town in Wilt-
shire, led to the discovery of 500 families similarly destitute.
These may be regarded as only indicative of the affecting
state of the population in many other places.

The increasing openings which were found for extending the
work of the Society by means of Associations, led to the ap-
pointment of Mr. W. Brackenbury, as a Domestic Agent, in
addition to Mr. Dudley, who was insufficient alone to meet the
numerous calls, in all directions, for aid in forming and con-
ducting these valuable institutions.

Though the larger streams of Scottish contributions were
now, to a great extent, directed into another channel, yet sup-
plies from that quarter did not wholly cease. The several
Societies, or associated bodies in that country, still adhering to
the Parent Society, remitted this year above £600, showing that
feelings of confidence and attachment towards the older Insti-
tution still survived in many quarters. The Committee, on
the other hand, felt much pleasure in availing themselves of
an opportunity to show that their interest in Scotland's welfare,
and desire to promote it, were not weakened by any of the
untoward events which had occurred. Between 6000 and 7000
copies of the Scriptures, chiefly in the Gaelic language, were,
during the year, voted to Scotland, at a cost of about £1590.

The Hibernian Bible Society, whose extending prosperity
afforded to the friends of the British and Foreign Bible Society
matter of unfeigned rejoicing, received this year a grant of
23,150 copies of the Scriptures; the Hibernian School Society

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 115

25,000; the Sunday School Society 20,000 ; the Irish Society, HOME,
and the Irish Baptist Society, were also supplied with copies ; ^^ yjjj
so that the total number sent this year into the sister country, —
to be added to its own distributions, amounted to 70,550 copies.

The Irish Bible, in the vernacular character, long so anx- The entire
iously looked for, was now reported as at length completed, i^nVhe"*^^^
mider the superintendence of the Rev. Robert Daly, H. J. M. native
Mason, Esq., J. L. Foster, Esq., and Rob. Newenham, Esq., who
had kindly formed themselves into a Committee to assist the
editor, the Rev. Mr. M'Quige. The grateful acknowledg-
ments of the Society were presented to Mr. M'Quige, who, by
his diligence, and the talent displayed in the work, had laid the
Society under great obligations.

It has not been the lot of the Society to continue for any Attacks on
long interval exempt from attack. In the conduct of so wide Verskns
and varied a system of operations, it could scarcely expect,
nor ought it to desire, to escape criticism. Such criticism,
whether fairly or unfairly exercised, can only, in the end, benefit
an Institution which seeks to carry out to the full its great design.
If real imperfections are noted, such scrutiny leads to their
correction. If unfounded charges are made, their refutation
sets in a clearer light the excellence and value of the results
achieved. These remarks will apply to the Society's opera-
tions generally ; but they bear still more especially on the
question of Scripture versions prepared by the Society, where
all must wish that the most sifting scrutiny, whether hostile or
otherwise, should be incessantly applied. It was therefore, on
the whole, with no feeling of dissatisfaction or annoyance, that
the Committee became apprised of a sweeping attack being made,
at this time, upon a considerable number of their versions.

In June 1827, an article appeared in the "Quarterly
Review," greatly depreciatory of several of the versions adopted
and circulated by the Society, and vehemently impugning the
conduct of the Society in regard to the preparation or publi-
cation of them. The versions selected for special animad-
version were the Welsh, the native Irish, the Mohawk, Cal-
muc, Chinese, Turkish, and Bengalee.*

To these strictures a very able reply was furnished by Reply ly
■^ ^ ^ ^ Mr. Piatt.

* See "Quartfrly Review," No. 71.
T 2

116

HISTORY OF THE

HOME.

Ch.VIII.

1827.

Mission of
Dr. Piu-
kerton to
Denmark,

T. P. Piatt, Esq., the Society's Honorary Librarian, who,
by a simple statement of facts, demonstrated the critic's
great want of information on most, if not all, of the points
touched upon by him, and consequently the utter ground-
lessness or futility of the several charges. A more complete
vindication of the conduct of the Society, in the matters referred
to, can scarcely be conceived, while at the same time honour-
able testimony is borne to the character and labours of the
translators and revisers, whose qualifications, or principles, the
article in question had so recklessly maligned. It does not
appear that any similar attacks ever afterwards proceeded from
that quarter.

In this reply to the Quarterly Review, Mr. Piatt alludes
to a work, at that time just commenced by himself, at the
request of the Committee, and for which the Society was
brought under great obligations to him. It is "An account of
all the Translations circulated by the Society, stating the reasons
which led to their adoption, or the history of the translating
and editing of those which were new and revised versions."

This very valuable history, brought down to the period when
Mr. Piatt's connection with the Society ceased, at present
exists only in manuscript. It comprises 12 volumes, which
are found in the Society's library. The continuation of this
interesting work has been long proposed and desired by the
Committee, but circumstances have not hitherto admitted of its
accomplishment. The intention, however, is not abandoned.
The materials for it, which are most abundant, have been, to a
great extent, prepared, and it is hoped that the time is not far
distant, when the Society may have it in its power to make
this important contribution to the cause of sacred literature.

The success which attended the visit of the Rev. R. W. Sib-
thorp and Dr. Pinkcrton to different Continental Bible So-
cieties in 1827, led the Committee, in 1828, to send the latter,
who, since the resignation of Dr. SteinkopflP, had been dis-
charging in part the duties of Foreign Secretary, to the Insti-
tutions of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. On his way home,
he visited the Society's agents at Darmstadt, Frankfort, and
Paris. Tlie results of this journey, proved of much advantage
to the Societv.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 117

The work of the Society at home, during the year 1828, HOME.

was conducted with unabated vigour. In Great Britain, 121 ca/^m.

new Societies were added to the number of those ah*eady ex- —

... . 1828

isting ; and additional aid having been found requisite in this

growing department of Labour, the Society engaged the services domestic
(at first for a portion of his time) of Mr. W. Ac worth, of Queen's creased.
College, Cambridge, as Domestic Agent in conjunction with Mr.
Dudley, and Mr. Brackenbury. The issues of the year in-
creased to nearly 30,000 copies more than in the preceding
year ; and a corresponding increase was found in the finan-
cial resources ; while tlie communications from different parts
of the kingdom continued cheering and encouraging. The
Corresponding Board at Edinburgh dissolved itself, in order
to give place to a regularly formed Auxiliary Society, in con-
nection with which a depot was opened for the supply of
Scriptures in English, Welsh, Gaelic, Irish, French, and Ger-
man, together with some other foreign languages. The Inver-
ness Bible Society transmitted an interesting account of the
steps taken to appropriate the 2000 Gaelic Bibles and Testa-
ments which had been placed at their disposal. To Ireland
the grants continued on the same large scale as usual.

It may serve to show the extent to which the Society was
now engaged in printing editions of the Scriptures in this
country, to mention, that, during the year, besides the English,
twenty-two separate works, consisting of 132,000 volumes,
were reported to have been completed. These comprised edi-
tions in the Amharic, Aimara, Danish, French, German, Gaelic,
Greek, Italian, Irish, Portuguese, Swedish, Spanish, Welsh.

The Society had to lament the loss, this year, of a valuable Death of
friend, by the decease of the Right Hon. Lord Liverpool, one verpool."
of the Vice-Presidents, who, though immersed in the duties of
his high position, took a lively interest in the Society's opera-
tions, and often publicly advocated its claims. The following
memorial was adopted by the Committee, at their Meeting,
January 5, 1829 :—

" Tliat the Committee feel themselves called upon to take Memorial.
the earliest opportunity of recording their sense of the very
serious loss the Society has sustained in the decease of one of
its Vice-Presidents, the late Earl of Liverpool.

118 HISTORY OF THE

HOME. « While, in common with the public, they lament the loss of

Ch.VIII. Jill able and upright statesman, they are more peculiarly
~ bound, as representing a Religious Society, to acknowledge the
benefits Avhich the cause of religion and virtue has derived
from his Lordship's influence and example, from the weight of
his declared opinions, and the exemplary regularity of his
private life : but, in particular, the Committee cannot forget
that His Lordship undertook the cause of the Listitution, and
defended its principles, when they were openly attacked by
some, and regarded with distrust and suspicion on the part of
many, by whose authority an individual of his rank and station
was likely to have been guided ; and that amidst the multi-
plied cares and avocations of the most important political
station, he found opportunity to become, on several occasions,
the personal and powerful advocate of the British and Foreign
Bible Society."

Three additional names were now enrolled on the list of Vice-
Presidents : Dr. Sumner, Bishop of Chester; Dr. Turner,
Bishop of Calcutta ; and the Right Hon. Lord Mount
Sandford.

Three years had now elapsed since Dr. Steinkopffhad resigned
the office of Foreign Secretary. It was not felt to be urgent,
nor, after much deliberation, was it judged expedient, to ap-
point a successor, as the duties of the office were satisfactorily
discharged by Dr. Pinkerton, when in this country, and, in his
absence, Dr. Steinkopff kindly gave his services to the full
extent which his health and circumstances would permit.

In the course, however, of the discussions which took place
on the above subject, it clearly appeared that there was a de-
partment in the Society's operations, for the due conduct of
which, though one of considerable and daily-increasing im-
Editorial portance, no specific provision had then been made, and for want
Supervi- of which provision, serious inconveniences had occurred. The

Sion of the i, ii • ^ n i ^^i- • ■< <n

Society's department alluded to, is that ot the Lditorial Supervision of
Versions, versions of the Scriptures printed for the Society in foreign
languages, whether in this country or abroad. In some of the
languages referred to, the Society had long been under the
greatest obligation to T. P. Piatt, Esq., for his frequently la-
borious and altogether gratuitous services. But it now ap-

BUITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 119

peared desirable, that in future the whole of them should be HOME.

committed to the superintendence of some properly qualified cu.^lll.

individual, who should be the medium of communicating to —

1829
all editors, employed by the Society, the instructions of the

Committee, and of seeing that those instructions were complied Mr. piatt.

with. And as the translators, or revisers of translations, more

or less directly connected with the Society, had now become a

numerous body, it was thought that it might be attended with

the happiest consequences, if the correspondence with these,

relative to the versions of the Scriptures, should be confided

to an individual who might give to it his undivided attention.

The views of the Committee as to the qualifications and
duties requisite for the above office, and of the advantages to
be expected from it, are thus summarily expressed : — *

" It was not, of course, expected that any one person should
be met with competent to understand all the languages in
which the Scriptures have been translated, or to become per-
sonally the editor of many versions, or, indeed, to be capable
of examining all copies of the Bibles and Testaments, to ascer-
tain that they contain nothing contrary to the laws of the
Society ; but it was not deemed an unreasonable expectation
to meet with some gentleman of such literary talents and at-
tainments in languages, as would qualify him to act the part
of an editor himself in some versions, and, by conference with
others who might be employed by the Society as editors and
correctors of the press, or examiners of versions submitted to
them, to be a guarantee to the Committee for the general
fidelity of the version, and accordance of the copies printed
with the rules of the Society."

Considerable hopes were at first entertained that Mr. Piatt
might have been induced to undertake an office for which he
was so eminently qualified, and with the duties of which he
had already become, to no small extent, familiar. But the
death of his father having placed him in circumstances which
prevented his giving that attention to the work of the Society,
which such an appointment demanded, he was under the
necessity of declining it. The appointment ultimately de-

* See Twenty-sixth Report p. 89; also Appendix of ditto, p, 101 — i,
for '' Proceeding's concerning- the appointment," &c.

1830.

His emi-
nent at-
tainments.

120 HISTORY OF THE

HOME, volvecl on Mr. William Greenfield, a gentleman who, together

Ch. VIII. with very considerable literary talents, was distingnished for

— his knowledge of many European and Asiatic languages, and

had been for several years connected with Mr. Bagster,

ment of ^s editor of various biblical works, and more particu-

Mr.Green- If^i'ly of various polyglott editions of the Scriptures. Mr.

March Greenfield had been first brought under the notice of the

Committee, by his valuable defence of the Serampore Mahratta

version of the New Testament, against an attack made upon it in

the Asiatic Journal.* Of the Mahratta language he had had no

previous knowledge, nor yet of some other languages referred to

in the work ; and when it is stated, that the pamphlet appeared

within five weeks of his directing his attention to the subject,

and that it was acknowledged to be a masterly refutation of

the charges alleged, no stronger proof could be aftbrded of the

remarkable talent for acquiring languages, with which he was

endowed.!

To this gentleman was assigned, therefore, the office above
described, under the title of Superintendent of the Translating
and Editorial Department.^

Mr. Greenfield was spared, however, for the discharge of the
duties of this new and important office, only for a brief period.
At the end of nineteen months, he was called to close at once
death, his labours and his life. Yet in this short space of time, his
varied talents had been brought into exercise in no fewer than
twelve European, five Asiatic, one African, and three Ameri-
can languages ; and, after the commencement of his engage-
ment, he had acquired a considerable skill in the folloAving
languages, with which he had been previously wholly un-
acquainted— the Peruvian, Negro-English, Chippeway, and
Berber.

A circumstance had occurred during this year which the

* See Defence, &c. in reply to the animadversions of an anonymous
writer in the "Asiatic Journal," for September 1829.

I For an honourable testimony, to the character, labours, and talents of
Mr. Greenfield, see Resolutions of the Committee, in the Appendix to
'I'wenty-eighth Report, p. 65.

For Outline of Duties, see Appendix to Twenty-sixth Report, p. 103.

For liret year's labours, see Appendix to Twenty-seventh Report, p. 97.

November
1831

1829.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 121

Committee, in their report of its transactions, refer to with ex- HOME.
pressions of unfeigned regret.* It was the discovery that cer- Ch.^III.
tain copies of the Italian Bible " with the Apocrypha/' had
been issued from the depot at Paris. A careful investigation
of the matter showed that this had originated in pure inad-
vertence on the part of Professor KiefFer, who was filled with
astonishment and grief when apprised of the error mto which
he had unintentionally fallen, and immediate measures were
taken to recover, as far as possible, the comparatively few
copies issued, and to prevent the occurrence of any thing of
the kind in future.

This circumstance was made a great handle of by certain
parties, who had persuaded themselves of the Committee's
insincerity and unfaithfulness in regard to the Apocryphal
Regulations ; and though a full and candid explanation of the
circumstance was published at the time, it did not prevent
the same parties from recurring to it again and again. The
very slight grounds on which suspicions and charges were thus
made to rest may, considering the eagerness with which any
supposed instances of this nature were sought out and reported,
be appealed to as no light evidence of the pains taken by the
managers of the Society, honestly to carry out the " Regu-
lations" both in the letter and spirit of them.

* Twenty-sixth Report (1830), p. 30.

122 HISTORY OF THE

CHAPTER IX.

CONTROVERSY REGARDING TESTS AND PRAYER, AND

DOMESTIC HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY TO ITS

THIRTIETH ANNIVERSARY.

1830—1834.

Agitation of question respecting Tests and Prayer — Address of
the President, Vice-Presidents, S^c, against change — Rejection
of Amendment proposed at Gene7-al Meeting, 1830 — Trinitarian
Bible Society — Adherence of AuxiUaries generally to the Parent
Society — Distribution of Scriptures to the Poor during Cholera
— JVumerous losses to the Society by Death: Mr. Wilberforce,
Rev. J. Hughes, Right Hon. Lord Teignmouth — Retrospect
of thirty years of the Society's history.

HOME. Another stormy period in the history of the Society was now
approaching. The Apocrypha controversy, at one time so
threatening in its aspect, had, to a great extent, died away ;
notwithstanding repeated efforts, in some quarters, to keep
ahve the spirit of disaffection and distrust, which the course of
that controversy had engendered. After a time, however, the
smouldering embers were again kindled into a flame, and the
Society was called to pass through another ordeal, differing
from the former, indeed, in some of its characteristics, but
scarcely, if at all, less formidable. In the former case,
attention had been chiefly drawn to the administration of the
Society's affairs, and the force of the storm therefore fell on
the Committee of the Parent Society, and its officers and
ao-ents. But now the constitution itself of the Society was to
come into question, and endeavours w^ere made to place the
Institution on a different basis from that on which it had
hitherto rested, and which, in subserviency to the great object
of the Society, had been usually appealed to as its most pro-
minent recommendation and excellence, namely, the accepted

Chap. IX
1830.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 123

co-operation of all who should be found desirous and content HOME,
to promote that object, the circulation of the Holy Scriptures charIX.
without note or comment — the Bible, and the Bible alone. —

The immediate and ostensible aim of this new agitation was
to give to the Society a more directly religious character, by ^^ ^f i^^
introducing into all its Meetings united devotional exercises, Test agita-
and also by instituting such terms and qualifications of mem-
bership, as should render such exercises congruous and be-
coming. And as it was assumed that the chief hindrance to
tliis arose from the presence in the Society of persons holding
the tenets of Socinianism, and further, as very strong and
exaggerated notions were entertained of the existence and
danger of Socinian influence in the Society, it was proposed,
in order at once to exclude these parties, to make some re-
cognition of the doctrines of the Trinity indispensable for
the purposes of membership. Some, indeed, as will be
presently seen, would have been content that this test
should have been used only in respect to management or
office, but the greater number pleaded for its application to
membership also. Thus arose the controversy on the subject
of prayer and tests, which issued in the formation of a separate
Society, entitled the Trinitarian Bible Society.

Whatever individual representations might have reached
the Committee, it does not appear that the subject above re-
ferred to was formally brought before them by any of the Com-
Auxiliaries till the autumn of 1830. In September of that mencement
year, the Guernsey Auxiliary Society, at its Anniversary sey.
Meeting (which was opened with prayer), passed the following
Resolution, which was afterwards transmitted to the Parent
Society : — " That the members of this Auxiliary Bible So-
ciety, deeply impressed with the necessity of a simple de-
pendence on the Divine blessing, to be derived only through
the Lord Jesus Christ, both God and man, pledge themselves
to discountenance all union with Socinians ; and to promote,
to the best of their power, this most desirable object among
all other Branch Societies, they earnestly recommend the
Parent Society totally to withdraw from those who deny the
Divinity of our Lord." Shortly afterwards a Resolution to
the same effect was transmitted from Rugby, and one from

124

HISTORY OF THE

HOME.

Chap. IX.

1831.

" Letters"
by Rev J.

Hughes.

Derby, more distinctly advocating the introduction of prayer
at all Meetings of the Society.

In the spring of 1831, it had become evident that the ele-
ments of agitation and disaffection had widely spread them-
selves ; and it was, by that time, generally understood that
some attempt would be made to bring the subject before the
assembled friends of the Society at the approaching An-
niversary. In prospect of this event, and as the season ap-
proached, some individual and unofficial efforts were made,
if not in sanguine hope of preventing a public discussion, yet
with the view of somewhat anticipating and preparing for
it. " Two letters, addressed to Lord Teignmouth, on the
subject of prayer and religious tests &c.," were put forth
by Mr. Hughes, under the signature of * Sexagenarius.' An
Address also was pretty widely circulated, signed, in their
individual capacity, by the President and a number of the
Vice-Presidents, including the Bishops of Winchester, Chester,
and Lichfield, Lord Bexley, Mr. Wilberforce, and others,
together with the Treasurer, the two Secretaries, and thirty-
two members of the elected Committee ; in which they assign
reasons for not recommending the adoption of prayer, and
distinctly object to any alteration of the fundamental prin-
ciple of the Society with regard to the admission of members.*

This brief but important document we think it right to
place before the reader, as expository of the anxiously-
weighed decision of those who signed, as well as, ultmiately,
of the great majority of the members of the Society.

Address of
the Presi-
dent, Vice-
Presidents,
&c.

To THE Members op the British and Foreign Bible
Society —
" We, the Undersigned, the President, Vice-Presidents,
Treasurer, Members of the Elected Committee, and Secre-
taries of the British and Foreign Bible Society, think it right,
individually, to express our sentiments upon two important
subjects, which, we are aware, have of late excited much
public attention, and occasioned anxiety to many of the Sub-
scribers.

* An " Appeal," advocating- opposite views, was also drawn p and
circulated by the Rev. G. Washington Phillips.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 125

" We have considered the proposition for introducing a Law, HOME,
that the Meetings of the Society, and its Committees, should q^^~ jx
be opened with Prayer. It is obvious tliat the Bible Society, —
by its constitution, unites persons of different religious opinions
in one important object, for the furtherance of which they
may co-operate without any compromise of their respective
principles. No arrangement has yet been suggested on the
subject of the introduction of Prayer into the Meetings, which
appears to us generally practicable, or which would not de-
mand such a compromise on the part of some of our members ;
and we cannot venture to recommend the adoption of a mea-
sure which might force any friends of the Society to the
alternative of either retiring from it, or of appearing to sa-
crifice that consistency on which peace of mind and usefulness
so materially depend. We are likewise persuaded that the
tone which has pervaded its Reports, and the sentiments
which have animated its proceedings, must make it manifest
that the Society has distinctly professed to look up to the
favour of the Most High, and to ascribe its success wholly to
His blessing. This, we conceive, is the frame of mind in
which the Christian is habitually prepared to enter upon any
business, whether religious or secular.

"In the opinion we have given on this subject, we desire
to be understood as not expressing any unkind judgment upon
the practice, where it exists in Auxiliary Societies.

" We have also considered the no less important question
of adopting measures which would operate to the exclusion of
any particular class of persons, on account of their religious
opinions, by the Introduction of a Test, on the admission of
members ; and we believe that the sound principles of Chris-
tian faith, as well as Christian charity, are more likely to be
promoted by an adherence to our present constitution, than by
any change which would occasion a breach in the Society.

" On these grounds we object to the alteration of the funda-
mental principle of the Society, which admits of the co-
operation of all persons willing to assist in the circulation of
tlie Holy Scriptures ; and we entreat those among our friends
who are inclined to view these subjects in a different light, to
weigli against their })rivate sentiments or feelings the danger

HISTORY OF THE

HOME.

Chap. IX.

1831.

General
]\[eeting.
May 1831.

Decision of
the Com-
mittee, as
explained
in the An-
nual Re-
port.

of dividing, if not dissolving, n Society, whicli, as at present
constituted, and as hitherto conducted, has been honoured with
such evident testimonies of the blessing of Almighty God upon
its objects and its proceedings.

" In conclusion, we would express an anxious desire that the
Divine influence may guide the proceedings of the Parent Insti-
tution, and of all its Auxiliaries, Branches, and Associations; and
that the respective Committees and Officers may continually
prove, by their piety, wisdom, and zeal, that they possess the
qualifications requisite for the due discharge of their important
duties.

" Teignmoutii, President.'"
S:c. &c. &c.

At length the day arrived for the Annual Meeting of the
Society, "sdiich was this year held, for the first time, in the
large room, in the newly-erected Exeter Hall; the larger
accommodation giving also an opportunity, for the first time,
for the attendance of females, who had hitherto been neces-
sarily excluded from these Meetings of the Parent Society.
The audience was thus unusually large.

The Report of the Committee filled as usual, for the most
part, with information relative to the general work and pro-
gress of the Society, opens with a reference to the two points
which had been found of late so much to occupy the minds of
some of its friends, and on which a diversity of opinion was
well known to exist. To these questions, on account of their
confessed importance, the Committee deemed it right to call
attention in the following remarks : —

" Several respectable and sincere friends of the Institution
have, at various times, urged the Committee to introduce oral
prayer in the Public and Committee Meetings, and to recom-
mend the practice to the Auxiliaries generally. Your Com-
mittee have never recorded their sentiments on this subject in
the form of a Resolution, but they may now state, as their
almost unanimous judgment, that, viewing the peculiar consti-
tution of the Society, they cannot advise the adoption of the
measure.

" When the second point, namely, a modification of the
fundamental laws of the Society, with regard to qualification

1IJ31.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 127

for meiubersliij), was first brought under the notice of your HOME.
Committee, during the past year, by two Auxiliaries (one of (j„^"7 IX
some years' standing, tlie other but just formed), they felt —
it their duty to record a Resolution to the following effect, viz.
" ' That this Committee, feeling that it is their duty not
only to confine themselves to the prosecution of the exclusive
object of the British and Foreign Bible Society, but also to
uphold the simplicity of its constitution, under which the con-
tributions and assistance of all persons, without respect to re-
ligious distinctions, are admissible, earnestly, respectfully,
and affectionately entreat the Committees of the Societies in
question to reconsider the Resolutions passed at their late
Meetings, with a view to their returning or conforming to the
established principles of this Society.'

*' To the opinions then expressed your Committee (with
two exceptions), continue to adhere ; and they are at liberty
to state, that in that opinion they have the concurrence of your
President, and many of the Vice-Presidents, together with
that of the Committees of several important Auxiliaries, who
have addressed them upon the subject.

" They have felt it their duty thus frankly to apprise you
of their deliberate conviction on these momentous points, fully
believing that, as has been often stated in former Reports, the
Society owes, under the Divine blessing, its extensive oppor-
tunities of usefulness to the simplicity, not only of its object,
but also of its constitution."*

The conclusion of the Report, in perfect keeping with the
sentiments contained in the above extracts, embodies an appeal
so forcible, and at the same time, in its spirit, so solemn and
impressive, as to claim to be inserted at length, even in this brief
account of the transactions of that memorable day.

" Your Committee have, on many former occasions, in
drawing their Report to a conclusion, delighted to dwell upon
a variety of pleasing topics connected with the Society ; and
especially upon that union which has existed within its circle,
among true believers of every name. They have thanked
God for — they have rejoiced in that union ; — their joy and
thanksgiving have, peradventure, through the infirmity of the
* Twenty-seventh Report, jjp. xvii. xviii.

128 HISTOEY OF THE

HOME, flesh, occasionally degenerated into an unseasonable glorying
Chap. IX. ^^ ^^^'^ principle of the Institution, through the simplicity of
~ which, sincere Christians of different denominations have been
enabled to give to each other the right hand of fellowship, and
to enjoy a delightful communion of brotherly love one witli
another. They are precluded from pursuing such a course on
the present occasion ; for they have been officially apprised
that it is intended, on this day, and in this assembly, to call in
question the soundness of that view of the constitution of the
Society which your Committee (they believe in common with
every preceding Committee) have taken ; and they have been
further apprised, if the soundness of their views be admitted, a
demand is to be insisted upon, that a change without delay be
made ; because, in the judgment of those who are moving the
question, the union subsisting in the Society is unhallowed, is
unscriptural. Under these circumstances, your Committee
feel imperiously called upon to offer a few observations on this
important point.

" They will freely admit that, under the view of the con-
stitution which they believe to be correct, it may happen —
it does happen — that such as embrace those views of Divine
truth, wdiich, by the general consent of Christians, in every
age, have been esteemed * the truth,' shall occasionally find
themselves in a painful juxtaposition with those who, liy the
same common consent, have been accounted to hold serious,
nay, fundamental and vital error. But, making this admission,
your Committee would appeal to experience, and, without any
disparagement of the use and value of creeds, ask. Whether,
in communions professing the purest principles, the same evil
be not occasionally to be deplored ? and, further. Whether, if
the parties objected against should be removed, there would
not remain behind persons professing to belong to purer deno-
minations, who, by their published writings (of which no Com-
mittee of a Bible Society could take cognizance), and in other
ways, might be as clearly known to hold sentiments almost,
if not altogether, as dangerous ?

" It may be admitted, again, that expressions have found
their way into addresses at Public Meetings, which carry the
principle of the Society's union far beyond its legitimate

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 129

])oiinds. But still, how often, liow sedulously, has the all- HOME,
important distinction been drawn, and how well and how ch.vp! IX.
clearly has that distinction been understood, that the union in —

1 o • • • • ^ • • 1831.

the rJible oociety is a union without compromise — a union
in one Avork alone — a union which commits none of the uniting
parties to the relinquishment of their own opinions on any
other subject, or to the adoption, or even countenance, of the
opinions of others. And why should this distinction be ap-
plied to various other subjects, some of which are of equal
Aveight and importance, while it is deemed inadmissible as it
respects the one now before you ? The introduction, too, of
the name of one class of Subscribers, as no longer fit to remain
members of the Society, would only prepare the way for the
introduction of another, by those who may discover fresh
grounds of objection,

" They would, further, beg leave to inquire how those who
may charitably believe of each other that they hold ' the truth,'
shall be brought, from among the varied communions to which
they respectively belong, into an effective union to accomplish
a work like that contemplated by the British and Foreign
Bible Society ? To the infirmities of the human mind it may
be attributed, that there is no common declaration of faith, on
the great fundamentals of truth, to which they can all in com-
mon subscribe. To the infirmities of the human mind it may
be attributed, that some would conscientiously and solemnly
object against any actual or implied acknowledgment of sub-
mission to any human formulary expressive of the trvith : yet
other than human formulary would not meet the occasion ;
for, it may be added, were scriptural declarations simply pro-
posed in the words of Scripture, and as those Avords stand in
Scripture, the parties now objected against, reserving to
themselves the right of interpreting those words, would sub-
scribe as readily as others. To human Infirmity it is doubtless
OAving that so many diversities exist, not merely as to minor
points, but as to the method and manner of conceiving of, and
stating the Aveightier points of the Gospel. The Society may,
in one sense, be said to have its foundation in this very in-
fii-mity : and Avere it attempted to define the limits of funda-
mental truth, as they lie in the Sacred Volume, those who
K

1831.

130 HISTORY OF THE

HOME, have been brought together upon the simple acknowledgment
Cha7 IX. of the paramount authority of the Sacred Volume must
quickly part ; a farewell must be taken of each other by
Christians hitherto united in the Society's ranks ; and again
must they retire to their respective communions, and separately
carry on that work of the Lord, which consists in giving his
word to the world. The infirmities of the human mind are
known unto Him whom the Society professes to serve : and is
it saying too much, provided it be said with the humility be-
coming those who venture for a moment to interpret the mind
of God respecting the conduct of man in his endeavours to
serve Him — is it saying too much, your Committee ask, to
say, that, with all our infirmities. He has graciously deigned
to accept our labours ? Is it too much to hope that He will
yet deign to accept them, though it be admitted that that
scheme on which we are united be not perfect at every point,
be not free from every objection ? Is it too much to hope,
that the nnmber of those who shall love the Bible for its own
sake, for the sake of ' our God and Saviour' whom it reveals
to man, and who shall therefore be deeply zealous for its pro-
pagation, will ever outweigh, by a vast majority, those who,
not having these views in common with themselves, may yet,
from other causes, be willing to join in the work of the So-
ciety ; and that thus the Institution shall be preserved from
the evil effects dreaded by some ; and shall thus remain, what
it has ever substantially been, and which, under God, is the
secret of its strength, a centre around which good men shall
meet ; and, if they cannot now lay aside the infirmities which
prevent them from being perfectly joined together in one mind,
look forward to that period when they shall no longer see
through a glass darkly, but shall walk in the light in that city
and that heavenly country, of which the Lamb is the light,
the Sun of Righteousness shining in the brightness of his
strength ?

" Your prayers, which can now ascend in silence to the
throne of grace, are earnestly entreated, that a wisdom better
than man's wisdom may guide the decisions of this important
day ; that the wisdom which is from above may this day appear,
first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated ;

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 131

and that, under the guidance of that wisdom, the mind's eye, HOME,
the eye of faith, may pierce within the veil — may realize the chapTiX,
solemn hour when the question shall not be. Who are worthy —
for admission into a Society such as yours ? but, Who shall be
counted worthy to stand before the Son of Man ? May con-
siderations such as these allay all undue heat of feeling, and
lead our thoughts to Him who hath made peace by the blood
of His cross ; looking unto which alone can any hope to be
presented faultless before His glory, with exceeding joy."

On the accustomed Resolution being put, " That the Report,
an abstract of which has now been read, be adopted, and
printed under the direction of the Committee," Captain
Gordon rose to move,

" That instead of the recommendation contained in the Amend-
Report, that the constitution and practice of the Society con- Qg^g^g'j''
tinue as they are, the following Resolutions be adopted — Report

" That the British and Foreign Bible Society is pre-emi- P'-^Po-^^d,
nently a Religious and Christian Institution.

" That no person rejecting the doctrine of a Triune Jehovah
can be considered a Member of a Christian Institution.

" That, in conformity with this principle, the expression
' Denominations of Christians,' in the Ninth General Law of
the Society, be distinctly understood to include such Denomi-
nations of Christians only as profess their belief in the doctrine
of the Holy Trinity."

Another amendment was moved by the Rev. Lundy Foot,
restricting the specified qualification to the agency, and not
extending it to membership generally : it was as follows —

" That the words of the Ninth Law, and of the others which
prescribe the terms of admission to the agency of the Society,
be not taken to extend to those who deny the Divinity and
Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ."

It will be perceived that in neither of these Resolutions was
any reference made to the subject of prayer. This was
avowedly held in abeyance, till the Society should be so re-
constructed, as, in the ophiion of those who then advocated
the measure, to justify its introduction.

It is not necessary here to enter into the arguments of the
respective speakers, as a full account of the proceedings of the

1831.

132 HISTORY OF THE

HOME, day, with the addresses at length, was given in the " Monthly
Chap" IX Extracts"* of the Society, and thus is easily accessible. It
may be sufficient to say, that the two amendments were
neo-atived, and the original motion carried by an over-
ana nega- -whelmino; maiority, so far as could be gathered from a show

tivedbytliG o t^ */ ' <d

Meeting. of hands. And it may be proper to add, that this was all
that was done, namely, the affirming simply the adoption, as
usual, of the Annual Report. Yet was it soon given out, and
very industriously propagated, that the Meeting had pro-
nounced against prayer, and in favour of Socinians being re-
garded as Christians. The decision come to, taking into
account the recommendation contained in that Report,
amounted, in effect, to this, and nothing more than this, that
the Society — the constitution and practice of the Society —
should remain unchanged.

Foiled thus in their attempt at the Public Meeting to
obtain a change in the constitution and practice of the So-
ciety, the parties who were intent upon this object formed
themselves into a Provisional Committee, which met in
Sackville Street, choosing for their Secretary, the Rev. G.
Washington Phillips, a gentleman who had been among the
earliest to moot the agitated question, and who had seconded
Captain Gordon's motion at the Public Meeting.

This Provisional Committee immediately proceeded to open
a correspondence with the Committee in Earl Street, with
a view to induce the latter to concur with them in adopting
Attempt to some measure in unison with their sentiments and wishes.
Auxiliaries ^^ *° ^^^^ ^ Special General Meeting, for a reconsideration of
favour the whole subject. Failing in these attempts, as the Com-
mittee in Earl Street did not deem themselves competent to
re-open the question aflFecting the constitution of the Society,
which the sense of the General Meeting had, in their judg-
ment, satisfactorily determined, the Provisional Committee
proceeded to issue a circular, addressed to the members of the
British and Foreign Bible Society, and of the various Auxi-
liary and Branch Societies and Bible Associations, containing
a series of Resolutions, explanatory of their own views and
convictions, and calling upon all concerned to unite with
* " Monthly Extracts" for May 1831.

of Tests,
&c

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 133

them in their endeavour to induce the Society to reconsider HOME,
and reverse the decision of the Anniversary Meeting. ChapT IX.

In this attempt, also, the advocates of the proposed change —
were destined to experience a signal failure. Agitation was
indeed promoted to a wide extent. Every Committee Room
in the kingdom was thus attempted to be made the scene of
discussion, and, with few exceptions, actually became so ; and
the spirit of controversy was regaled to satiety, by numerous
letters, pamphlets, appeals, &c., which now issued from the
press, in separate form, or through the medium of periodicals.

The result, however, was, that by the close of the year, the Decision of
Committee in Earl Street received communications from 280 n^'ajOTity
Auxiliary and Branch Societies and Bible Associations, " ex- against
pressive of their concurrence in the views of the constitution of
the Society contained in the last Annual Report, and depre-
cating attempts to introduce any alterations therein ;" whilst
18 only,.of these affiliated institutions, recommended that the
subject should be reconsidered, with a view to alter or explain
the constitution of the Society.*

The Provisional Committee in Sackville Street, having been
thus disappointed in their various endeavours to stir up the
constituency of the Bible Society at large, to concur with
them in seeking the alterations and concessions they required,
and six months having elapsed, " without," to use their own
language,! " affording them any prospect of effecting " the
important objects they had in view, proceeded to call a
Public Meeting of such members of the British and Foreign
Bible Society, and such other Christian friends, as might
desire to establish a "Bible Society upon scriptural prin-
ciples."

On the 7th of December 1831, the Public Meeting was Trinita-
held in Exeter Hall, and a new Society was instituted, under g^g^gfy'''®
the title of the " Trinitarian Bible Society ;" the object of the formed,
new Society, like that of the old one, being to circulate the
Holy Scriptures without note or comment : its general consti-

* For a list of these several Societies, see " Monthly Extracts " for 1831,
and January 1832 ; lastly, of April 1832.

t See notice of the Public Meeting' for establishing a new Society,
dated Sackville Street, November 22, 1831, G. W. Phillips, Secretary.

I{i31,

134 HISTORY OF THE

HOME, tution, however, requires " that its members shall consist of
CuAp" IX Protestants, who acknowledge their belief in the Godhead of
the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, three co-
equal and co-eternal persons in one living and tru.e God :"
it further enjoins the offering up of prayer and praise at all
its Meetings.*

It falls not within the province of this history to comment
on the speeches delivered on the above occasion, or to dwell
on the measures subsequently adopted, with a view to bring
this new Society before the public, and to gain for it public sup-
port. This task is the more willingly declined, now that
much of the heated feeling excited and manifested at that
period has passed away, erroneous impressions have been
corrected, unfounded charges have gradually assumed their
real character, and very many, who had been induced, from
various causes, to leave the older Society, and even to contend
against it, have since returned to its ranks, and are npw found
among its warmest supporters, t

Still, it must be confessed that the trial, at the time, was
very great. Not that the general operations of the Society
were much impeded ; not that even its funds were materially
affected ; but it was grievous to witness the efforts made to
rend, if not to root up, an Institution confessedly the instru-
ment of very extensive benefit to mankind. It was grievous,
of course, to its conductors and managers to have their motives
impugned, their doings misrepresented, and their loyalty to
the great Head of the Church brought under imputation and
suspicion. It was especially grievous to see the Society
deserted by some of its best, and warmest, and holiest friends
— for such they were — wdio, for a time at least, Avithdrew
their countenance and active aid, even thoiTgh they did not
all join the new Society.

* For particulars of its Laws and Regulations, see Eeport of the Public
Meeting-, and also Reports of the Society.

t Those who wish to inform themselves more fully on the subject of
the foreg-oino- pag-es, may consult numerous works written at the time ;
among which may be specified, " Letters of Sexagenarius," already re-
ferred to ; and "' The Bible Society Question," by Rev. S. C. Wilks.
On the other side — The Provisional Committee's " Correspondence and
Papers ;" Phillips' ''Appeal ;" the Trinitarian Society's " Reports."

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 135

The Committee, however, and the vast body of the Society's HOME.
constituents and supporters, steadily held on their way, and Chap. IX.
the storm, at one time so threatening, gradually spent itself; ~~
the dark and cloudy day gave place to many bright, and
hopeful ones ; and the Society's subsequent history may
surely be appealed to, to shew, that the favour and blessing of
the Most High did not then abandon it.

We now return to the narrative of the Society's ordinary Domestic
domestic proceedings. Notwithstanding the interruption P^'^^^^'i-
which might have been expected, and which was, to some
extent, experienced from the agitation of those questions, to
which allusion has been made above, the Society's work at
home still went on with considerable vigour. The Report of
the year speaks of the formation of 164 new Societies and
Associations ; and the domestic agents found everywhere
nuich encouragement. The issues of the Scriptui'es amounted
to above 36,000 copies more than those of the preceding year,
being 470,920.

The gratuitous services of Messrs. Marten and Brown, as
professional advisers of the Society, were this year kindly
offered and accepted, in the place of those which had been,
in the same manner, rendered to the Society from its insti-
tution, by Thomas Pellatt, Esq., then lately deceased. The
names of the Bishop of Bristol and the Earl of Chichester
were also added to the list of Vice-Presidents.

The year which ensued after the extraordinary Public Meet-
ing at Avliich the strenuous attempt was made to alter the consti-
tution of the Society, and during which the greater part of the
280 Memorials and Resolutions, already referred to, of the
Auxiliaries, Branches, and Associations, on the agitated ques-
tions, were prepared and transmitted — this year, which thus
threatened to be one of considerable detriment and damage to
the Society, was nevertheless one of no small activity and
success. More than 130 new Societies were added to those
previously existing, and the issues exceeded 583,000 copies,
being the largest which had taken place since the commence-
ment of the Society.

Amongst these issues were 19,537 copies of the New Testa-

136

HISTORY OF THE

HOME.

Chap. IX.

1831.

Special dis-
tribution of
Scriptures
to the Poor.

Visitation
oi Cholera.

ment, bound iip with the Psahns, and distributed, as a loan, to so
many destitute families in the metropolis and the neighbourhood,
through the medium of the Society's Auxiliaries. This
measure, from which there is reason to hope much spiritual
good resulted, was adopted, in anticipation of the visitation of
the cholera, which about that period first appeared in our
country, after having produced its fearful effects in many
other countries.

A similar plan, having the same object in view, was pur-
sued in Manchester, where 14,000 families were visited, and
4000 found destitute of the sacred Scriptures, notwithstanding
that 100,000 copies had been distributed by the Auxiliary in
that town. In Edinburgh and Glasgow, also, the proposal was
hailed with much gratitude : in the former city (after a most
exemplary canvass of the poorer districts) 2000 families were
supplied, and in the latter 3000 copies were called for.

The death of Mr. Greenfield, the Editorial Superintendent,
has been already referred to, together with the Resolutions of
the Committee on occasion of that affecting event. It was
felt as a trial, also, that this year T. P. Piatt, Esq., the Society's
Honorary Librarian, retired from his office, having joined the
ranks of those who thought it right to secede from the Society
on the question of Prayer and Tests. The Committee
recorded in a Resolution their great regret on receiving his
resignation, and, at the same time, their deep sense of the
high value of the numerous services, which he had cheerfully
and gratuitously rendered the Society during the eight years
that he had held the office of Librarian.

This and other secessions which took place at this time,
occasioned the Committee much pain. Great regret was
felt at the breach which had been made in the Society,
and the division which, to some extent, had thus been
spread. At the same time, the Committee saw no reason to
depart from the views adopted in the preceding Annual Re-
port, in the adherence to which they liad derived so much
support from the concurrence of sentiment expressed on the
part of so many of the Auxiliary, and Branch Societies and
Associations. The Committee also record, with thankfulness,
their obligations to numerous friends, who voluntarily, and

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 137

on tlieir own responsibility, had come forward to defend HOME
tlie Society, when, adhering to the example and practice ChapTix.
of preceding Committees, they had themselves thought it —
right to abstain, as a Committee, from entering into contro-
versy.*

The Report for 1832, worthy in all respects of an atten-
tive perusal, inculcates, towards its close, in a peculiarly im-
pressive manner, on all the friends of the Society, on a review
of the position in which it was then placed, an increased
feeling of humility, self-renunciation, and dependence on
Almighty God.f
The closing paragraph is here introduced : —
" If ever, now more than ever, your Committee would ex-
jiress their sense of dependence upon the Divine Being. As
with the growth of years the human mind, in looking back,
sees many a danger never suspected at the time, but which,
through a kind Providence, was securely passed, so may the
friends of Societies such as yours freely confess, that through
comparative ignorance they were often unconscious of that
fear, because unconscious of danger, which would have pro-
bably led them to express themselves in a more lowly manner,
and to have looked less to second causes. But as, in the case
supposed, ripened years unfold dangers not seen before, and
check presumption, and increase caution, so, in such a work
as that of your Society, experience discerns the frailty and
weakness of all human instruments, shows the magnitude of
opposing powers, and brings vain man to himself. Expe-

* The number of such defenders was g;reater than on any former oc-
casion. The expenses of these publications were defrayed by the private
contributions, either of the authors themselves or of their friends.

t An interesting" incident occurred at the Public Meeting- when the
above Report was read. The two brothers, the Hon. and Rev. Gerard
Noel, and Hon. and Rev. Baptist Noel, who for a time had fsiltered in
their allegiance to the Society (the latter havings seconded one of the
amendments the preceding- year, and the former having written an accu-
satory pamphlet), now stood tog-ether on the platform, while the elder
in their joint names, made a noble and candid retractation of the
mistakes into which he admitted they had fallen, and offered afresh
their cordial and unreserved adherence to the Society. The Meeting- was
altogether one of the most animated and pleasing that the Society has
ever witnessed.

1832.

138 HISTORY OF THE

HOME, rience leads him, indeed, not to despond, but feelingly to con-
CiiAp" IX f®^^' ^"*^ feelingly to exclaim, ^ So then, neither is he that
planteth, nor he that watereth, any thing, but God that giveth
the increase.' Experience leads him devoutly to acknow-
ledge, if he be the honoured instrument of good, that he is
what he is by the grace of God ; and, turning away the eye
of the beholder from himself, he points it to that grace, and
says, ' Not I, but the grace of God that Avas with me.' The
same experience will lead him to pray much, and also to cast
himself upon the charitable prayers of others, and to say to
all, in the words of the apostle, ' Now I beseech you, brethren,
for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the
Spirit, that ye strive together with me in yovir prayers to God
for me,' that wisdom and strength and love may be given me,
and that my service may be accepted of those whose good is
sought, and that God may be glorified.

" Your Committee cannot but be reminded of the apostolic
declaration, ' In many things we offend all ;' and while, in re-
ferring to this declaration, they allude to the sinful imper-
fections which have accompanied their own services, they
cannot refrain from putting the question, as the proceedings
of the past year are reviewed. Who, as being blameless him-
self, can cast a stone at his brother ? How, then, shall we
give ourselves anew to the duties of the coming year without
looking afresh to Him, who through the Eternal Spirit offered
Himself without spot unto God, in order that their consciences
may be purged from guilt contracted, and we become thus
fitted to serve the living God. Looking anew to Him whom
we have pierced, may another apostolic exhortation be en-
graven on every heart : ' Be ye kind one to another, tender-
hearted, forgiving one another, even as God, for Christ's sake,
hath forgiven you. Be ye therefore followers of God as dear
children, and walk in love, as Christ hath also loved us, and
given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a
sweet-smelling savour.' "
Death of The death of Professor Kiefter, of Paris, whose labours

Kieffen*^ ■^^iH be more fully alluded to in the history .of the Society's
Avork in France, took place this year, and was followed by the
loss of other old and tried friends of the Society ; among

BRITISH AND FOEEIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 139

whom may be mentioned, the Right Hon. Lord Gambler, one HOME.
of the Society's Vice-Presidents, as well as one of its earliest ciiapTiX.
and most constant supporters ; and Dr. Adam Clarke, w ho —
had rendered valuable services to the Society, more parti-
cularly in its literary department. The latter was suddenly
called away to his reward, by that awful visitation which now
swept through the land, the cholera.

To supply the place of the late Mr. Greenfield, the Com- Appoint-
mittee had this year the satisfaction of obtaining the services ^^^ j
of the Rev. J. Jowett, rector of Silk Willoughby, Lincolnshire, Jowett to
as Superintendent of the Translating and Editorial Department. Depart-
For a short time, also, Mr. John Hattersley was engaged Client.
under Mr. Jowett, in the same department, with special refe-
rence to the Berber language. An addition was made to the
Domestic Agency, by the appointment of the Rev. Thomas
Brooke, rector of Wistaston, Cheshire ; and arrangements were
planned with a view more fully to keep up, to interest, and
extend, the Anniversary Meetings of the Auxiliaries, by increas-
ing the number of occasional and gratuitous deputations. Several
ministers and other gentlemen were now induced to ofter their
services for this work, in addition to those who had previously
been thus occupied. It had been found that, from the want
of such deputations, many injurious effects had arisen, and
that out of 2000 Societies which ought to have held Annual
Meetings, 1400 had omitted to do so.

The grants of Scriptures made this year to L'eland were
very considerable: these included 6000 to the Hibernian
Bible Society, 20,000 to the Hibernian School Society,
22,500 to the Sunday School Society for L'eland.

The year 1833, witnessed the advancement of the Society
to an increased state of efficiency, notwithstanding that many
causes were in operation which tended to produce a con-
trary effect. A brief appeal for increased liberality, issued
at the commencement of the Society's year, was not without
a favourable result. The receipts, which in the preceding
year had shown a deficiency of more than £6000, were
this year exceeded by above £8400. The plans which had
been arranged for giving greater effect to the Auxiliary system
were, after trial, found to yield a larger measure of success than

140

HISTORY OF THE

Death of
Mr. Wil-
berforce.

Memorial.

HOME, had even been anticipated. By means of the assistance of
Cha7. IX, friendly visitors, some of whom insisted on paying their own
— expenses, and none of whom received more than barely their
expenses, nearly 200 Meetings were held more than in the
preceding year. Twenty-one gentlemen were thus engaged
for the Society. This system of gratuitous friendly aid has
been continued ever since, and, in later years, has been greatly
extended, much to the benefit of the cause.

But while the Society was thus sustained and carried for-
ward in its general work, it again received some very solemn
and admonitory lessons as to the instability and uncertainty
of those human helps and agencies with which it had been
supplied, and by which it had been distinguished. In the
summer of 1833, died William Wilberforce, Esq., one of the
Vice-Presidents of the Society, and one of its earliest, most
constant, and most active friends. In a memorial drawn up
on the occasion, the Committee thus speak of his attachment
to the Society, and the services he rendered to it.

"The Committee cannot record upon their Minutes the loss
of their late Vice-President, William Wilberforce, without
claiming their share in the general expression of mourning
occasioned by his decease. No individual, not called upon
to conduct the councils of nations, has, perhaps, for centuries
past, so much impressed his own views on public opinion,
or exercised so great an influence on the destinies of mankind;
— no man ever consecrated eminent talents with more di ^
interested zeal and more unremitting perseverance to the glory
of God and the welfare of his fellow- creatvires. For nearly
half a century, from his first entrance upon public life, amidst
increasing bodily infirmities, which yet never subdued the
vigour of his mind nor damped the cheerfulness of his spirit,
he was preserved as a central point, to which a great body
of the friends of religion turned their eyes ; and he was at last
called away, when that great object to which his life had been
more especially devoted — the extinction of slavery — was on
the eve of its accomplishment.

"His religion was eminently the religion of the heart, and
diffused its influence over all the details of his domestic as well
as public life; and the extent of his munificence not only

Chap. IX.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 141

reached the full bounds of his fortune, but was scarcely HOME,
restrained within the limits of prudence.

" It is not, however, for the Committee to review his general
career of piety and usefulness, or to hold up his example
to posterity : it behoA'^es them rather to bear him in affectionate
remembrance, as one of the earliest, most constant, and active
friends of the British and Foreign Bible Society.

" He saw from the first the simplicity and importance of its
object; for no man more warmly entered into the spirit of the
Bible: he approved its comprehensive principles ; for no man
more readily embraced all whom he believed to love the Lord
Jesus Christ in sincerity : he delighted in its extended operations ;
for he was, in the largest sense, the friend of mankind: and he
seized every opportunity of pleading its cause, with that per-
suasive eloquence to which none could listen without delight."

The almost unrivalled eminence held in his country's history
by Mr. Wilberforce as a Christian philanthropist and states-
man, his catholicity of spirit, and the warm and unqualified
attachment he invariably evinced for the Bible Society — for
its constitution no less than its object — demand that we should
not part with his name from the ranks of its living supporters,
without incorporating in this history some further memorial
of those bursts of chastened eloquence, fraught with devout
feeling and a wisdom without art, which were wont, year after
year, to lend so much interest and delight to the Meetings
of the Society. One such extract we have already given from
Mr. Wilberforce's speech on the Society's Fifteenth Anni-
versary. We give the following from two of his latest speeches
at the annual meetings; the first delivered in 1829, and the
next in 1830, when he made his last appearance on the
platform, surrounded by many of his surviving associates at
'the formation of the Society, and by a still greater number of
the second generation of those of his own rank, who had
enlisted themselves amongst the Society's supporters. It will
be seen that the same feelings of attachment to evangelical
truth, and of cordial affection to the pious of all denominations,
animated his last years, as had marked his whole career.

On the Twenty-fifth Anniversary of the Society, Mr. Wilber-
force spoke as follows: —

142

HISTORY OF THE

HOME.

Chap. IX.

1833.

Extracts
from his
latest
speeches,
1829.

"Notwithstanding the numerous and deeply-Interesting
anecdotes and details which have been stated to us by the pre-
ceding speakers, my mind (perhaps naturally from my time of
life) has been led to look back, and, as it were, lives in the past.
You will, therefore, probably pardon me for recurring to the
origin of this Society ; and, recollecting the various feelings with
which I thought of it at first, I cannot now but look back
with continually-accumulating joy on the success it has
experienced and the suffrages it has received: it was a feeble
plant at first, and experienced some chilling influences of
calamity, calculated to nip it in the bud; but there were some
circumstances which induced me to think favourably of it,
and to expect the blessing of God upon it. My knowledge
that the individuals who entered upon it did it with the
simplicity of true Christians, gave me reason to hope that
it would, as has been well observed, take a deep and firm
root, and spread its branches wide; and I have not been dis-
appointed in my expectation. In the humble support which
I have endeavoured to render it, there is one consideration,
which has had peculiar weight with me, and recommended it
strongly to my hope as to the result. In most of the operations
of man, till the entire work be completed, no good can be
accomplished: it is only by the operation of the whole machine,
and after the lapse of considerable time and labour, that any
great result can be expected. But here I know the case
is very different. However small might be the sphere of our
operations, we were engaged in a work that could not
disappoint us: and the smallest operation must be beneficial
to the cause of truth, and to the interests of religion. I saw,
that where the efforts of this Society were to be extended,
it was a sort of natural wilderness, in which the weeds of
human nature were growing, and bidding fair to choke the
seed. But I knew, that where the good seed was sown, the
effect of it would be to introduce a better vegetation; and
we should have the gratification of seeing one blade spring
up here, and another there ; till at length it should overcome
every difficulty, and the whole scene should be changed from
barrenness to beauty, and all around should rejoice and blossom
as the rose. Every succeeding Anniversary has been the

1833.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN EIBLE SOCIETY. 143

means of impressing my mind more and more with the HOME,
efficiency of this Institution, and inspiring thankfahiess to God q^^^ jx.
for having permitted me to take any part in it. We cannot
have witnessed its Anniversaries, and especially this Anni-
versary, without noticing, that though it might have been
supposed that its various supporters would have exhausted
every combination of circumstance and imagination, yet at
every Anniversary fresh interest is excited. Every year
brings forward additional matters of fact; and arguments
are urged, and illustrations are supplied, which were not
thought of before. This is not a figure of speech, but a
downright fact; and hence it is, that these Anniversaries have
a peculiar effect in warming those who come from a great
distance. Here they come, as it were, close to the Sun again;
and getting heat, and light, and life, they go back to com-
municate them in their respective spheres. And these Amii-
versaries cannot but have a tendency to make a man, who has
attended them, put this question to himself: *Have I duly
estimated the value of this treasure, which I have all my life
possessed, and which such a vast multitude of Christians are
endeavouring to circulate throughout the world? Ought I
not to be more and more conscious of the cause that I have to
lift up my heart with gratitude to God that I have had that
blessed Book, which I now find is worth the business of a
whole nation to distribute?' To myself it has been an hum-
bling consideration that I have not duly valued, however
highly I may have valued, that blessed Book, when I see such
mriltitudes come forward to place their highest earthly hopes
upon sending it to the world at large.

"It gives additional value to this Institution, that the more
religion is communicated through the medium of the Bible,
the more it will be of that pure and sacred and wholesome
kind which will always produce its good effects, without any
mixture of the evil, almost necessarily communicated in any
other form. The religion of the Bible is adapted to all the
wants, and weaknesses, and errors of man. Here I cannot but
observe, that there is nothing more extraordinary, considerino-
the degrees in which the Almighty sheds his bounties upon
the earth, than that, whenever man makes a religion for him-

144 HISTORY OF THE

HOME, self, he is always apt to make it of a kind which should render
CHiVlX. it necessary for him to mortify and injure himself; like that
— poor man alluded to, who was lying on spikes, while there
were spikes in his sandals. It is astonishing, that in all the
systems of natural religion which men make for themselves,
they seem as if they thought God envied man the happiness
he enjoyed: whereas the Holy Scriptures tell us that God
is love; and that man will please God best, by accepting the
mercy oftered to him through a Redeemer, by endeavouring
to become happy, by becoming holy, and by receiving those
holy operations of the Spirit of God which will be graciously
afforded to him. But there is often a danger, if people do not
habituate themselves to the study of the Scriptures, lest they
should lose sight of the chief peculiarity of the Scriptures, and
lest, instead of feeding upon those blessed truths which they
contain, and which are designed to make the heart fit for
heaven, they should rest in a way in which they may be
useful to their fellow-creatures, Avithout inculcating the spirit
of religion upon themselves. We think that religion consists
more in acts to be done, than in habits and characters to be
formed. Bvit though religion tells us to be useful to mankind,
and to employ ourselves in labours of beneficence; yet man's
great business is, through the mercy of the Redeemer and the
agency of the Spirit of God, to have that character formed
within him, which will fit him to be the inhabitant of a better
M^orld, and to behold the face of God. The more, therefore,
the Holy Scriptures are studied, the more will their essential
truths be likely to sink into the mind, and to produce their
just impression. For, with all the deep conviction which I
entertain, that these Institutions are in themselves useful,
I cannot but feel that there is a tendency in that machinery,
by which we carry on our purposes, to distract our minds, and
to prevent our remembering, that the great benefit of Religious
Institutions is to be fovind, not when we are met together, and
are animating one another in the great cause of Christian love
and charity, which we assemble to support, but when we retire
to our closets to humble ourselves before God, and when those
lessons of animating hope, which we are to derive from the
Scriptures, have their proper influence upon us."

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 145

We add an extract from his last speech delivered at the HOMK.
Annual Meeting, May 1830. ChaTTiX.

"I rise, My Lord, with peculiar satisfaction, to second the —
motion* which has just been made by my Right Rev. Friend.
There is a sort of propriety in its being given to one who has ^^' ^'!"
known the Society from its commencement; who welcomed Speech,
its birth, as the dawn of that most auspicious day which was ^^
to diffuse the light of Christian truth further and further, and
has already extended it to almost every accessible region.
There is one part of the motion which particularly interested
and gratified my mind — the Society^ s connection with kindred
Institutions in the four quarters of the world. It was the
original glory of this Society, that it disclaimed all those
divisions which had too long existed among individual Chris-
tians w:ho entertained the same grand views of their duty;
and called upon all around to unite in giving the Scriptures,
and to form one grand Association, that should concur in this
important work. It designates all the different Societies, which
have been since established, kindred Societies; and rejoices
in their success, no less than in its own. Here we lose sight of
those subordinate distinctions which mark this lower world,

" If any one, when this Society began its labours, had only
looked forward, and considered what was likely to be the extent
to which its operations might be carried, how little could he
have anticipated such a result as we are permitted to witness!
When Galileo first discovered the telescope, and directed
it to the heavens, he was astonished at the new worlds
which were breaking on his view in every direction. We may
now look through this telescope of the Bible Society; and
Avherever we look, we discover some fresh Society, the source
of light, and life, and warmth, and blessing. We cannot but
wonder that this Institution was not at work before, when we
consider the extent of its magnitude and success. Some stars

* "That, upon a review of the proceedings of this Institution, in connec-
tion with those of kindred Societies in the Four Quarters of the ^\^orld
during the past year, this Meeting would again devoutly acknowledge
the gracious hand of Almighty God, as manifested in the blessing-s which
have attended them, and commend to His merciful direction and favour
their future labours."

146 HTSTOT5Y OF THE

HOME, are said to be so distant, that their liglit is only just come to
Cii.vrT IX. our earth. It is certain, that till Avithin these few years the
— light of the Scriptures had been withheld from many remote
countries, which it is now beginning to visit.

* * * *

" I trust Ave shall ever remember that our success must
depend altogether upon that Great Being whose word we are
now circulating. And how can we engage in any labours
more truly worthy to be called labours of love ; or in Avhich
Ave should engage Avith greater ardour and hope, when Ave
remember that Ave have the promise of that God who cannot
lie, to encourage us Avhile Ave are carrying on His Avork.
"What attention, Avhat admiration, would be excited Avere we
to keep distinctly in view the sublime contents of the Scrip-
tures ! In them we are provided with a volume which makes
us acquainted with the attributes of that Being on Avhom we
depend; and shows us the way in which a poor guilty
sinner may be made a partaker of mercy here, and enjoy here-
after a world of glory: moreover, Ave have the means of cir-
culating through the AA'orld those blessed tidings of joy and
salvation. Can we be engaged in a service more glorious?

"It is, I hope, unnecessary for me to make an excuse for
lingering, at my time of life, round a Society like this — in
itself so excellent, and to me productive of so much delight.
I hope, My Lord, that it will be long before your bodily
infirmities will render it necessary for you to Avithdraw from
the scenes of active life. You will not, I feel assured, retire
from the society of Politicians with so great pain as you will
experience Avhen you cease to take part in the proceedings of
this Society : for though Ave may mean to do our best for the
welfare of our country, we cannot but confess, that, Avhen we
have formed our schemes Avith the greatest care, Ave have often
found ourselves disappointed. But here it is not so: here
Ave can proceed with firm confidence : here Ave have divine
Avisdom to guide us, and God's blessing — Avhich shall more
than revAard all those who labour in the cause of our Society.
It is trherefore that I linger in it ; and would with the last
breath I can use, say, May God bless this Society, and make
it a blessing to the Avhole earth I"

BRITl!-;!! AND FOREIGX BIBLE SOCIETY. 147

In tlie autumn of the same year, 1833, it pleased God to HOME,
subject the Society to a still heavier bereavement, because q^j^^ jx
one more intimately affecting the secret springs and practical —
working of the Institution ; this was the removal, by death,
of the Rev. Josej^h Hughes, who had been, from the very ^^^ °^j
commencement, one of the Secretaries of the Society. " To Hughes,
him," as the Committee emphatically state, "belonged, in ^^Pt-^^^S.
an eminent degree, the character of its Founder;" no
mean honour to be attached to the name of any man. The
part which he took in the formation of the Society has been
already explained. His subsequent labours on its behalf it
would not be easy either to number up or to estimate. He
brought to the service of the Society no small amount of
talent, and of mental culture, combined with a sound judg-
ment, a discriminating taste, a truly catholic spirit, and a
heart glowing with bencA^olence. He watched over its
interests with an enlightened jealovisy, and sought its
welfare with the zeal of a self-sacrificing, yet ever unosten-
tatious consecration. The Memorial adopted by the Com-
mittee on occasion of his decease, records their s§nse of
the very eminent services rendered by him to the Bible
cause, and, at the same time, bears a pleasing testimony
to his truly catholic spirit and consistency of Christian
character. When it is added, that an interesting memoir
of this devoted servant of the Society, and faithful minister
of the Gospel, was drawn up and published by his friend,
the Rev. John Leifchild, D.D., there will be seen to be
the less necessity, however grateful the task might have been,
for enlarging here on his life and character and labours.
His name, endeared, on many accounts, to all that knew him,
will chiefly go down to posterity in honourable and closest
connection with the British and Foreign Bible Society.*

The following is the Memorial adopted by the Committee
on the occasion : —

" In preparing a grateful Memorial to their departed Secre-
tary, the Rev. Joseph Hughes, the Committee cannot but

* Mr. Hughes was also known as Pastor of the Baptist Church at
Battersea, and was one of the Secretaries of the Rehgious Tract Society,
from its institution till the period of his death.
L 2

148 ITISTOKY OF THE

HOME, tc'stity ho^Y much he was beloved and respected by their wliole
CiiiTlX '^°^J' ^^^^^ ^y those who were acquainted with him during
— the entire course of the Society's existence, and by those wlio
have only known him of late. In this feeling the Committee
.Afeniorial. Relieve that they are joined by all the friends of the Society.
However any might be exalted in rank, whether in Church
or State — however any might seriously differ from him in
subordinate points — all were agreed to reverence and love an
individual in whom so many excellencies appeared.
Mr. " To him, as the Committee have much pleasure in recording,

conuecdon ^^longed, in an eminent degree, the character of a Founder of
-with the the Society ; and in him they desire to adore the manifold
tlie^So-° wisdom and goodness of God, which w^ere so evidently dis-
c'cty; played, when, the idea having been originated of a Bible

Society for Wales, the thoughts followed in quick succession
in ]\Ir. Hughes's mind — ' Why not a Bible Society for the
kingdom? — why not for the world ?' While grateful science
Avill ever admire the hand of God in the falling apple that
opened to the mind of Newton a train of thought which has
astoni^ied the world, why should not the friends of religion
thankfully acknowledge the same hand, which, from sugges-
tions so simple, has educed results affecting the eternal welfare
of the entire famih'^ of man — to name no more than the circu-
lation of eight millions of copies of Holy Scripture ?

*' Not less observable, the Committee believe, are the good-
ness and power of God in eminently qualifying their late
Associate for maturing the plan which he had been so instru-
mental in originating. By his pen, as well as in conversation,
he developed that plan with such singular felicity, that many
who regarded it, in the outset, as altogether chimerical (and
among such, the Rev. John Owen was at first numbered),
became afterwards its warmest admirers and firmest sup-
porters.

" ISIuch too, in after times, did ]\Ir. Hughes contribute, by
his intelligence and piety, combined with no ordinary degree
of suavity and mildness, to preserve in the councils of the
Committee a large measure of kindly and harmonious feeling.
* " When it became necessary, in consequence of the exten-

sion of the Society's plan, by the formation of Auxiliaries,

BRITISU AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOcILTV. 1-4D

Bi-anch Societies, and Associations, that Representatives from HOME.
London should visit the Committees, and assist in Public q^^ ix.
Meetings held in the comitrA", the presence of their late friend —
was always most acceptable ; and his api)eals, frequently dis-
tinguished by eloquence at once chaste and fervid, were ^^ sabse-
listened to with delight ; and often won the opponent, decided quern ser-
the waverer, and confirmed the friend. Called, in the course
of tliese visits, to mingle in the private circles of the Society's
friends, it is not too much to atfirm, that when he was once
known he could not easily, if ever, be forgotten. While
advertuig to this point, the Committee may truly add, that he
was in journe\*ings oft — that by night and by day, to the very
last, he was ready to serve tlie Society, which he loved with
intense and unabated affection.

" In the recent question regarding the constitution of the
Society, his s_\nupatliies and exertions were largely called
forth. In common with many others, he apprehended danger
from the changes proj>osed ; while in the past history of the
Society he had seen nothing to demand their adoption, but
mach that appeared to claim for the original simplicity of the
plan a contmuance of that approbation bestowed u[X)n it by its
early friends. In all his conduct connected with this discus-
sion, the same mildness, the same freedom from asperity,
shone conspicuous ; and safely may their late friend be held
up as a pattern worthy of imitation, whenever controversy
shall have become luiavoidable.

" While he rejoiced in the prospects opening before the
Church of Christ, of the dawn of that day when all nations
whom God hath made shall come and worship before Him —
wliile he rejoiced no less in that laborious i^art wliich he was
liimself called upon to sustain m operations all tending to so
glorious a consummation — the Committee gratefully testify
their belief, that Mr. Hughes's mind was never diverted from
the habits of j>ei-sonal religion by the glowing anticipations in
which he indulged, nor yet by the multiplicity of liis labours ;
but that he caught the spirit of the prophetic Psiilmist just
quoted, who unites with his glowing visions of the ftitiux?
earnest supplications and rest^h es on liis own immediate behalf.
* Teach me thy way, O Loi-d I I will walk in thy truth.

150

HISTORY OF THE

HOME.

CllAP. IX.

1833.

Death of
Kight
Hon. Lord
Teign-
juoiith.

Unite my heart to fear thy name I' -was the hmguage of their
friend's heart : it was the lanffnage also of his life.

" While the Committee deeply deplore the loss sustained,
iiot only by themselves, but by the Society at large, and, they
may add, by the whole Christian commimity, they cannot but
take comfort, from the assurance they have received, that
those consolations revealed in the sacred volume, and the
knowledge of which Mr. Hughes had so widely assisted in
spreading, were graciously vouchsafed to himself in the hour of
trial ; enabling him to glorify God by the exercise of patience
and resignatiou in the midst of intense sufterings, and to re-
joice in a good hope through grace — a hope full of immortality.

" The Committee conclude their Memorial by transcribing a
passage from a beautiful Letter recently addressed to them by
their late Secretary, tendering the resignation of his office, on
finding himself no longer able to fulfil its duties. They would
accompany the transcript with the expression of* an earnest
hope that all the friends of the Society, while engaged in
helping forward its glorious work, may so receive the truth as
it is in Jesus, and so love that truth, that, when placed in
similar circumstances, they may be enabled to bear a similar
testimony.

" ' The oftice has, I believe, greatly helped me in the way
to heaven. But now my Great Lord seems to say, I have
dissolved the commission — thy work in this department is
done : yield cheerfully to my purpose, and prepare to enter
those blessed abodes where the labours of the Bible Society
shall reveal a more glorious consummation than the fondest
hope had anticipated.' "

Li the course of the same year, 1833, the author of the
present work, at that time minister of the Dissenting Congre-
gation at Clapham, was appointed to succeed Mr. Hughes, as
Secretary.

Before the Society's current year was closed, it was called
to sustain anotlier heavy and affiictive loss, by the death of its
noble and venerable President, the Right Hon. Lord Teign-
mouth, on the 14th of February 1834. The tribute of
grateful respect to his Lordship's memory which the Com-
mittee adopted, and which is given in full below, will best

KKITISII AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 151

enable the later friends of the Society to appreciate the sin- HOME,
gular favour of God, in giving to the Institution for its first cu^^ ix.
President, one so eminently qualified to head its important —
movement in a path hitherto untrodden, and to guide and encou-
rage and recommend its wide-spread scheme of benevolence.

Indeed, the same may be said of each of those honoured
men who first held office in the Society as President, Treasurer,
or Secretaries, none of whose names were now any longer
to appear on the title-page of the Society's records. They
were men, it is generally admitted, eminently fitted for the
work assigned them ; and by giving tliem to the Society in its
infancy, and continuing, some of them, so long to watch over
and subserve its interests, the adorable Head of the Church
seemed to impress on the Institution the sanction of His own
approval.

The vacant office of President was, by the unanimous and xhe Right
spontaneous act of the Committee, filled up by the appoint- ^^^^ ^-^^'^
ment of the Right Hon. Lord Bexley, whose deep interest in Fresident.
all its concerns, manifested, amongst other ways, in his public
defence of the Society, and his frequent presence at its private
deliberations, naturally pointed him out as the fittest person to
succeed his noble friend.

With the death of Lord Teignmouth, closes the second epoch Thirtieth
in our domestic history of the Society, which history has
now embraced a period of thirty years. The Thirtieth Annual
Report contains the grateful record of the Society's manifold
obligations to the above nobleman who had so long presided
over its interests, and influenced its councils with so much
wisdom and kindness ; and, moreover, it supplies an interesting-
review of this extended period of the Society's operations,
which may here also be appropriately introduced.

" In announcing to the Society at large the loss of its
venerable and beloved President, the Committee feel that they
discharge a duty more painful than any they have hitherto
been called upon to perform. Yet in this moment of sorrow,
they cannot forbear to offer a tribute of gratitude to Divine
Providence, which, from the beginning, placed Lord Teign-
mouth at the head of the Societv, and has enabled him to

Annual
Report.

152

HISTORY OF THE

HOME.

CUAP. IX.

1834.

Grateful
Record of
LordTeign-
mouth's
services.

preside over it for a period of thirty years. His Lordship's
rank and station in the world were of no small importance to
the Institution, especially during the weakness of its infancy :
but these were always of small account, when compared with the
qualities of his mind and heart. He united in himself qualifi-
cations and talents — rare, if separately taken, while it might
have been deemed vain to hope for their union in a single in-
dividual. To a dignified courtesy of manners, becoming the
high stations which he had filled, he added, in an eminent
degree, the simplicity of Christian benevolence, great sagacity
and decision in forming his own judgment, the iitmost candour
and facility in giving full weight to the reasonings and opinions
of others, and the most patient attention in tracmg the bear-
ings, and weighing the difficirlties, of every question.

" For many years after the formation of the Society, he paid
unremitting attention to the details of its proceedings. The
earlier Annual Reports were wholly written by himself; and
the extensive correspondence, both foreign and domestic,
carried on for several years under his immediate direction,
derived the greatest advantage from the purity of his taste,
and the perspicuity and elegance of his style. The admirable
manner in which he presided at the Annual Meetings of the
Society — the piety and grace that breathed in the addresses
delivered by him on those occasions — the delight which he
visibly felt in meeting the body of subscribers and friends,
drawn together from so many parts of the world, as well as cf
the United Ivingdom, and differing in so many particulars,
but united in the one purpose of doing homage to the God of
the Bible, by sending forth the Sacred Volume to all who
might be accessible to their exertions; — these are points too
fresh in the recollection of numbers to require enlargement,

" It must not be supposed that, when declining years pre-
vented his frequent presence in the Committee, he was inat-
tentive to the operations of the Society. He still continued to
exei'cise a superintendence over its affairs, by means of the
unrestricted intercourse with him, which he afforded to the
officers of the Society ; and it has been no small consolation
to learn, from those who enjoyed this intercourse, that his
affectionate prayers were contiinially offered up on behalf of

BUITISH AND FOREIGN BI15LE SOCIETV. 153

the Institution. Of this fact, his ^vl•itten communications, HOME,
moreover, scai'cely ever failed to give them pleasing assu- (^^"jx,
ranees. His patient attention and accurate judgment never —
forsook him. In many a case of difficulty and diversity of
opinion, he was enabled to point out, by his directmg counsels,
the course to be pursued ; while the acknowledged candoiu*
and impartiality of his mind gave at all times a weight to his
decisions, which few thought themselves at liberty to dispute.
" To the Oriental operations of the Society, his extensive
knowledge of the languages, and his intimate acquaintance
with the manners and sentiments of Eastern Nations, were of
the highest importance. These studies he had long pursued,
with eminent success, in India, in conjunction with his friend
the late Sir William Jones ; to whose memory he has left a
lasting and valuable monument, and with whom he may, in
fact, be regarded as the Founder of the first literary associa-
tions in India.

'•' But while literature, in its various departments^ was in-
deed the recreation of Lord Teignmouth's leisure, it was in
sacred literature especially that he found his chief delight.
For all his talents were subordinate to that * charity' which
' thinketh no evil,' and ' rejoiceth in the truth,' and to that
piety which has its * conversation in heaven.' Accordingly,
his companions were chosen among the most eminent Chris-
tians of his day ; and the friend of Porteus, of Barrington, of
Gambler, of Granville Sharpe, of Haimah More, of Hemy
Thornton, of Charles Grant, and Wilberforce, has now
followed them to their Rest. To the suggestion of the first of
these eminent characters the Society was indebted for the
acquisition of his Lordship's valuable services ; the venerable
Bishop having pointed him out to the late Rev. Jolm Owen,
with a kind of Providential and prophetic discenunent, as
' one of the Subscribers, who would make an excellent Pre-
sident.'

" In how great a degree of veneration the name of Lord
Teignmouth was held abroad, the extensive travels of the
agents of the Bible Society will bear ample testimony. His
introduction and recommendation never failed to ensure a kind
and ready attention, from manv of the most distinguished

1834.

154 HISTORY OF THE

HOME, characters of every country which they visited; and removed
Chap. IX. "^^ny of the difficulties, necessarily attending (especially in
their first outset) the foreign operations of the Society.

" Such was the Noble President whose loss we deplore —
such the bright example he has bequeathed to the Society ;
an example, to which its future conductors will often recur
with delight and advantage; for on all occasions, but more espe-
cially in moments of difficulty, doubt, and apprehension (which
must be expected sometimes to occur), the recollection of the
manner in wdiicli, under similar circumstances. Lord Teign-
mouth felt, counselled, and acted, combined with an endeavour
to catch his spirit and tread in his steps, will prove a solace,
and will tend, under the Divine blessing, to ensure a continu-
ance of the Society's real prosperity.

" It only remains, tliat your Committee briefly advert to
the secret springs of such exalted excellence. While few men
have been more highly favoured by Divine Providence, as
instruments of most extensive good to the human race, few
have been more remarkable for the deepest humility and self-
abasement. Many have been the assurances offered by his
Lordship to the officers of the Society, in their more recent
interviews wuth him, that he was fully sensible of his own
utter unworthiness in the sight of God, and that his entire
and sole hope of acceptance rested on the merits of the atoning
Saviour. To these statements he invariably added, that his
ability to believe in that Atonement, as well as to do any good
Avork, originated in the ' preventing ' and ' furthering ' grace
of God the Holy Spirit. Animated and influenced by these
principles, he lived ; and feeling their Arm support, he was
enabled, as the outward man decayed, to speak with cheerful
confidence of the solemn day, which should remove him from
time into eternity. To him. Death was disarmed of his sting ;
and it may be truly said of him, that he has fallen asleep in
Jesus."

The concluding retrospect of the Report is as follows : —

Retrospect " Your Committee have thus glanced at a few prominent

of Thirty points in the year's Report. They feel, however, that a period

is arrived, when the Society ought to derive its motives for

thankfulness and renewed activity from a much longer re-

CllAP. IX

1834.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 155

view. For if a few points in the survey of a single year are HOME,
so full of interest, what must be the Retrospect of Thirty
Years ! A moment like the present, more especially, when
you are aft'ectingly reminded that ' all flesh is grass ' ! — when
scarce a single original ofiicer remains ! — when it is setting
forward, as it were, under new auspices ! — seems a suitable
occasion for reverting, however briefly, to the past.

"Let our thoughts, then, go back to the moment, when, in
a small apartment, and among a small company of persons,
the thought was originated, ' Why not a Bible Society for the
world?' And then behold that thought carried out into effect
and reality, to an extent even beyond the imagination and the
hope of those in whose breasts it sprung up. Let us think of
that little company, and that obscure chamber, and contrast
them with the multitudes now assembled in this magnificent
Hall, besides the countless thousands throughout the earth, of
every tribe, kindred, and tongue under heaven, wdiose hearts
all beat with high and holy delight in the one cause of sending
abroad the Sacred Volume. And let the ascription of praise
be heard, ' Now unto Him who ' not only ' is able to do,'
but has actually done, ' exceedingly abundantly above all that
we can ask or think — unto Him be glory in the church by
Christ Jesus, throughout all ages, world without end.
Amen. !'

" Let us look back to the first Anniversary, let us inspect
the first Annual Report — a little thin volume, which tells us,
indeed, of an income of £5592. 10^. 5d., but of no issues
of the Scriptures ; while the thirtieth brings the total
of receipts to £2,050,956, and the total of copies issued to
8,549,356. In its first year the Society stood alone : in the
thirtieth it appears surrounded by numerous Auxiliaries,
Branches, and Associations ; the greater part of which are
pursuing, with untired activity, the work of supplying the
destitute around them, and of providing funds for the su})ply
of the Scriptures to distant nations. Not only did the first
year exhibit no issues, but the preparations then in progress
were principally confined to the English and Welsh lan-
guages ; but the tliirtieth tells of the Scriptures prepared and
printed in L57 different languages; in all of which the work

156 HISTORY or THE

HOME, of printing or translating has been aided more or less directly
CiiiV IX. froiii the Society's funds.

— " In its Foreign Associations, what a contrast is the begin-

1834. o ^ ts

ning of the Society's days to its present position ! What mul-
titudes have been called into active operation (literally and
truly in the four quarters of the world), and have thanked
God for the example set them by Britain ! If reverses have
here and there arisen — if the Russian Bible Society, once the
admiration of the world, has suspended its operations — if diffi-
culties have occurred, which have shaken the Society itself
to its centre, and loosened its connexions with many of its
former associates — if mistakes have in some instances been
committed — if humiliation has been called for — if correction
has been administered, — yet how wonderful still has been the
preserving and reviving mercy of God ! How has the God
whom we serve been better to us than all our fears. The
Society remains, notwithstanding all the predictions of its
speedy decay — predictions, which not only the singular diver-
sity inherent in the component parts of the Society, but still
more the errors and infirmities of those to whose management
the Society's affairs haA^e been confided, were too well cal-
culated to fulfil. The Society remains, although the enchant-
ments of novelty have long since passed away ; together with
all that excitement derived from the extraordinary career the
Society was permitted to run, when princes and potentates,
prelates and dignitaries arose, touched by an invisible hand,
and zealously promoted the work. Oh what cause for thanks-
giving, what ground for encouragement, does such a survey
present! and — vast as the prospects of future labour un-
questionably are — how does the retrospect forbid despondency,
and call upon you to go on your way rejoicing!"

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 157

1834.

CHAPTER X.

NEGRO EMANCIPATION, AND SPECIAL FUND ON THE
OCCASION.
1834—1835.

Unabated jyrogress of the Society amid changes in Us administration
— Negro Emancipation — Suggestion of Rev. II. Stoivell, of
gift of Scriptures on the Day of Freedom — Special Meetings for
this object, and liberal Contributions from Auxiliaries — 1835,
the Third Centenary since the printing of the first English
Bible — Death of the Bishop of LicJifield and Coventry, and
of R. Phillips, Esq. — Appointme7it of Rev. T. Phillips as
Agent for Wales.

Notwithstanding that the Society was now, m a great ho]\ie.
measure, found in other liands than those which had orioinally ~

.... tD J (JjlAP. X.

moulded and guided it ; notwithstanding that a generation had
passed away since it had come forth invested with the charm
of novelty, and had rapidly acquired a wide-spread popularity ; Advance of
notwithstanding that after this it encountered storm after amiclsif'^ ^
storm, by which it had seemed, at times, threatened with great <^lianges in

1. .p ,. , . .,,..„ , . itsAiImini-

detrmient, it not utter dissolution ; still it is lound entering on stration.
this new era of its operations with vigour unimpaired,' with
projects and schemes not less bold and enlarged than in former
years; and, in its subsequent history, it will be seen "en-
larging its cords and strengthening its stakes," showing that,
in the accomplishing of any great and holy work, human
instrumentality is just that, and only that, which God is
pleased to make it, " who can work by many or by few ;" by
one agency no less than by another ; by the " blunted arrow "
as well as by the polished shaft : " not by might, nor by power,
but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts;" and thus all
the excellency of the power is seen to be of God and not of
men.

The year of the Society's history at Avhich we have noAv

151

HISTORY OF THE

HOME.

Chap X.

1834.

Negro
Emancipa-
tion.

Suggestion
of Rev. H.
Stowell.

Resolu-
tions

adopted by
Committee.

arrived was chiefly marked and much signahzed 1)y efforts on
behalf of the emancipated Negroes.

The Act of the Legislature for the Abolition of Slavery
throughout the British Colonies, which was passed in August
1833, and which was to take effect on the 1st of August 1834,
naturally awakened great interest. At the Society's Anni-
versary, in May 1834, the Rev. Hugh Stowell, of Manchester,
alluding to the death of William Wilberforce, Esq., in con-
nection with the approaching liberation of the slaves, observed,
" I should propose that a separate fund might be raised, in
order to put a copy of the word of God, in his own language,
into the hand of every slave ; as I know of no boon that can
so well compensate him for the wrongs he has sustained, as the
gift of those Scriptures which make known the pearl of great
price."

The suggestion thus thrown out came early under the con-
sideration of the Committee, and the following ResoliTtions
were adopted : —

" That the Committee of the British and Foreign Bible
Society desire to unite in the general feeling of satisfaction,
expressed in so many quarters, at the approaching termination
of slavery in the British colonies.

" That this Committee, while they rejoice in the extension
of civil freedom to their fellow-men, cannot but be reminded of
that freedom of which the Scriptures speak, and on which the
Scriptures lay so great a stress : ' If ye continue in My word,
then are ye My disciples indeed ; and ye shall know the truth,
and the truth shall make you free:' John viii. 31,32. 'Being
then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteous-
ness:' Romans vi. 18.

" That it appears a religious duty to embrace so appropriate
a moment for calling the attention of those about to be liberated
from earthly bonds to this heavenly freedom ; and that to
present, in an affectionate manner, to such persons, at the
present juncture, a copy of the Scriptures, would be calculated
to produce beneficial impressions on their minds.

" That, with these views, a copy of the New Testament,
accompanied by the book of Psalms, in a large type, and sub-
stantially bound, be tendered to every person receiving the

1834.

BRTTIi^n AND FOI^EIGX BIBLE SOCIETY. 1.59

gift of freedom on the approaching 1st of August, who can HOME,
read ; or who, though not able to read, is the head of a family chap X
in which there are readers, or children learning to read ; such
parties receiving a recommendation from a minister, teacher,
or employer."

Intelligence of the design was speedily communicated to the Special
Auxiliaries, Branches, and Associations, as Avell as among the Contnbn-

' ' ^ _ ' _ _ => tions from

various friends of the Society, and it met with universal ap- Auxiliaries
probation. Subscriptions for this particular object were forth- Britain &c.
Avith commenced in various forms ; Special Meetings were, in
some instances, called ; in others, the subject was brought for-
ward at Meetings held in the usual course. In some places
visits were made from house to house, while in others sermons
were preached. Collections were also made in various Sunday
Schools ■; the little children giving to this special object with
the utmost delight. Several contributions were received from
Ireland, and some remittances from the Continent, accom-
panied with expressions of lively satisfaction at the measure.
The contributions for the purpose amounted, in the whole, to
£15,975 . 6^. \d., without in any way interfering with the So-
ciety's usual receipts. We may add that the fund, when
finally closed in the following year, amounted to £16,249 . 5s. 9c?.*

This measure was received with no less approbation in the
West Indies ; and the most cheerful co-operation was proffered
and afforded, by all classes of persons, including Governors and
other official persons, the Clergy, Missionaries, proprietors,
managers, and, above all, the negroes themselves.

It having been found impracticable to get the books for- Distribu-
warded by August 1st, the happy day on which the liberation fe°"gj7rnni
took place, the 25th of December was fixed upon for the August 1st
delivery of the proposed boon, before which time the friends ^^^ 25tl™"
of the measure in the West Indies had been requested to
ascertain and transmit the number of the persons who were
able to read, or who gave a fair promise of being able to do
so by the appointed day. In consequence of some of the sup-
plies, however, not having, after all, arrived in time, the period
of distribution was extended to August 1, 1835; and after-

* See Thirty-third Report, \\ l--'^-

IGO

HISTORY OP THE

HOME.

Chap. X.

1831.

Increase of
circulation
of Scrip-
tures, and
income of
the Society.

Grants of
Scriptures,
Irish, and
Gaelic.

wards, for tlie siike of some of the colonies, including a large
number of beneficiaries, to August 1, 1836.

Nearly 100,000 copies of the New Testament together with
the Psalms were, as the result of this noble act of liberality,
sent out for the benefit of the emancipated negroes; and it is
pleasing to add, through the kindness of shipowners and
others, sent out free of expense to the Society, by which a
saving of not less than £250 was effected.

Further particulars relating to the manner in which the
*'gift Book" was received; the pains which, in many instances,
were taken by the poor Negroes to qualify and entitle them-
selves to obtain the gift ; and the benefits attending or accruing
from the measure ; will be given when the Society's labours
in the West Indies come under more immediate review.*

The above noble and special subscription for the emancipated
negroes, together with a legacy of £11,695, received from the
Executors of Horatio Cock, Esq., contributed to swell the
total amount of the receipts of this year to a larger sum than
those of any preceding one. The issues of the year also ex-
ceeded those of the preceding year by nearly 260,000 copies,
amounting in the whole to 653,604 copies, and raising the
total issues, up to this period, to above 9,000,000.

The work of the Domestic Agency continued to be pushed
forward with considerable energy, and was this year
strengthened by the appointment of Mr. Thomas Sanger as
Agent for London and its vicinity. Eighty-three new So-
cieties were added to the number of the Auxiliaries, Branches,
and Associations.

Ireland again became a ^recipient of the Society's bounty
to a more than ordinary amount : 2000 Bibles, and 3000
Testaments, were granted to the Hibernian Bible Society ;
10,000 Testaments to the London Hibernian School Society ;
18,000 Bibles and 40,000 Testaments .to the Sunday School
Society for Ireland ; besides considerable grants to different
Societies, of the Scriptures in the Irish language ; and 5000
Irish Testaments, in the Irish character, were put to press.

* For numerous interesting- articles relative to the Negro Fund, see the
" Monthly Extracts " for the year, and particularly the "Supplements"
for several months devoted to this special object.

lUlITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. Ifil

Further supplies of the Gaelic Scriptures were also sent for HOME.

the benefit of the Islands and Hio;hlauds of Scotland, and for n ~ ^

° Chap. X.

Scottish emio-rants. —

So growing was the feeling in favour of the Society, and
so deep the interest excited during the year, by the effort in
behalf of the Negroes, that when the next Anniversary of the
Society arrived, the large room in Exeter Hall was found in-
sufficient to contain the multitudes assembled, and a second
Meeting was held at the same time in the lower room, at
which 600 persons were present.

A striking coincidence occurred this year, 1835, which is l835,Third
happily and forcibly alluded to in the annexed extract from the ^o"ft°fJ^
Report : — year of the

"The year is one in which a chronological epoch recurs, ofthe*'°

so interestino; to the country, so interestino; to the Society, English
-, , ^ 1 . , . ^ , ., . Bible,

that they venture to advert to it, and pomt out the striknig

contrast between present and bygone times ; a contrast on
which they enter, again disclaiming all idea of magni-
fj'ing the Society, and only desiring to derive from it matter
of praise to God, and of instruction and encouragement to
themselves and all the friends of religion. It was in the
year 1535, then, that the first edition of the entire English
Bible was printed ; and, consequently, the year 1 835 is the
third centenary of that important event. Important it truly
was to England ; so important, as scarcely to allow a measure
by which to form a just estimate of its importance. The hap-
piness, the aggrandisement of the nation, all that is connected
with her glory and her usefulness in the world, is identified
and bound up with the free course which the Bible has been
permitted to have in England. Her prosperity and her re-
ligion have been closely united, and the purity in which her
religion has been maintained is owing to the Bible being re-
cognised as the standard of divine truth. Well is it said
to our Kings of England at their coronation, a moment happily
selected for presenting them also with a copy of the Sacred
Volume, ' This is God's best gift to man.' And surely, if by
any the centenaries of the first publication of the English
Bible may be appropriately observed, by none more appro-
priately than the friends of ihe British and Foreign Bible

1835.

162 HISTORY OF THE

HOME. Society. What a contrast does the retrospect afford ? Mark
Ch.a7. X. the English Bible in 1535 — in an imperfect translation, in a
ponderons form, of a costly price, with but few who were
capable of reading and appreciating it, and with fewer still to
Contrast spread it far and wide. Mark the English Bible in 1835— in
periods. a translation which, with all its alleged remaining defects,
stands unrivalled, or at least unsurpassed, in the world — in
every form of beauty — adapted alike to the eyes of age and
youth — of every price, suited to rich and poor — the most costly
price of the Society being cheapness itself, compared with its
pecuniary value in older times. See multitudes ready to give
it a welcome admission to their houses ; and the period fast
approaching when the benevolent wish of our late beloved
monarch, George the Third, shall be realized, *that every
child in his dominions should be able to read the Bible.' See
multitudes ready, not only to welcome it to their own abodes,
but to obtain an entrance for it into the dwellings of others ;
a well-compacted Society, expressly and singly formed to
promote its circulation — untired, and, it is humbly trusted,
untiring in its labours ; a variety of ingenious devices formed
for aiding its circulation ; obstacles removed : — a contrast this,
proclaiming aloud the gracious goodness of God. Mark,
again : the English Bible of 1535 standing alone, one edition,
of at most a few thousand copies; the English Bible of 1835,
surrounded by the Irish and the Welsh, the Gaelic and the
Manx, for domestic circulation ; and in such request, that in
one day in the last month a variety of editions were ordered,
to the extent of 365,000 copies ; while the aggregate issue,
during thirty-one years, has been several millions, in the
British dominions, and in the British languages.

" But, in 1535, British Christians had enough to do to
provide themselves with an English Bible : little opportunity
had they of thinking of, or providing for other lands ; but, in
1835, the English Bible finds itself in the company of trans-
lations into more than 150 other languages. They then ' did
what they could :' may a like honourable tribute be paid to
the present generation by some future historian ! But well
does it befit British Christians to think of foreign lands, and
well does the Society designate itself the British and Foreign;

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SGCIETY. 163

for where was the Bible of 1535 printed? It was printed at HOME.
Zurichj by the care of one who had been driven, by the fear ^^^^ ^•
of persecution, to seek refuge in Switzerland; — no voluntary lfi33.
exile, travelling for pleasure's sake, to enjoy the magnificent
scenery of that interesting country, nor yet for the purpose of
amassing wealth in the pursuit of commerce, nor even, as those
who now happily often make themselves exiles, that they may
discover and relieve the wants and woes of their fellow-men ;
but an exile for religion — the memorable Coverdale. What
do not Christians owe for that Sacred Volume, which he first
sent forth in its entire form to our land ? To foreign Churches
the Society has begun to pay the debt of gratitude which the
nation owes, for the asylum then afforded to that venerable
servant of God. In Zurich, more particularly, it has been
the honoured instrument of promoting the circulation of the
Scriptures to the extent of 10,814 copies. Moreover, Britain
has, in her turn, through the medium of the Society, printed
on her own shores, and sent forth to the continent of Europe,
(or provided the means of printing in the different parts of
that continent itself,) the Scriptures, in the languages
spoken throughout its length and breadth; besides medi-
tating and executing much in the blessed enterprise of
spreading the Sacred Volume through the length and breadth
of the world. Oh may the civil and religious liberty, now
enjoyed by us, be more and more sanctified — be more and
more consecrated to the advancement of the glory of God in
the earth!"

The year was not marked, like the preceding one, by
any extraordinary efforts or contributions, but it was equal
to most years in the amount of its regular receipts, and sur-
passed by none in the variety and extent of its operations,
especially in foreign lands, of which, however, it is not our
business here to treat.

Two of the old and valued friends of the Society, each Death of
of whom in his own sphere had rendered important service RydgT-
to the Institution, were this year called away to their
heavenly home ; the excellent Dr. Ryder, Bishop of Lich- ^^^ of ^r.
field and Coventry, one of the earlier Vice-Presidents of ' '^^*
the Society, and Richard Phillips, Esq., a member of the
M 2

164 HISTORY OF THE

HOME. Society of Friends ; to the latter, as one of the most active
Chap. X. pi'omoters of Bible Associations, the following testimony was
— borne in a memorial adopted on occasion of his death : —

"It was more especially to the work of the Bible Society
Mr. Phil- ^i^r^^ ]^g brought the fall w^eight and power of his capacious
votedness and intelligent mind. He loved the Society, because he loved
of Bible"^^ the Bible. He admired the grandeur of its Object, and the
circulation, simplicity of its Principle ; and to his pen, among others,
we arc indebted for the plain, intelligible exposition of that
Principle. To see the foundation laid, was, to him, only the
incentive to increased activity. A private suggestion from
his lips led to the establishment of the Southwark Aux-
iliary Society, which was speedily followed by the formation
of other similar Institutions, which extended with unprece-
dented rapidity throughout the kingdom. Still the mind of
Mr. Phillips was not satisfied. He rejoiced, indeed, in wit-
nessing the progress of the Society, and the increasing recog-
nition of its claims by the more-educated and influential classes
of the community: but he had long cherished a persuasion
that it was possible to interest the Poor also, and to devise a
plan by which, through their own instrumentality, they might
not only supply themselves with the Holy Scriptures, but
assist in extending the same blessing to the whole world.
With characteristic energy, he endeavoured to carry out the
happy idea. At his suggestion, the masterly Paper by Dr.
Dealtry, entitled, 'The Advantages of distributing the Holy
Scriptures among the Lower Orders of Society, chiefly by
their own agency,' was drawn up; and its publication was
promptly followed by that of 'The Bible,' 'The Appeal,'
'Address to Servants,' and other short Papers, w^hich pre-
pared the way for the practical application of the principles
enforced : and, through the gracious extension of that blessing
which alone 'givetli the increase,' his most sanguine expec-
tations were more than realized. The establishment and
extraordinary success of the Twelve Bible Associations of
Southwark demonstrated the correctness of his views, dis-
pelled every doubt on the subject, and set an example to the
nation, the beneficial effects of which eternity alone can fully
reveal. He was in an important sense, the Father of Bible

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 165

Associations ;* and under this title his memory has a claim on HOME,
the gratitude, admiration, and love of every friend of the q^^~ x.
British and Foreign Bible Society." —

The Report of the Domestic Agents, for this year, exhibits
a large amount of personal labour on their part, as well as on
the part of numerous friends who had kindly assisted in
arranging or attending Anniversary Meetings. Nearly 1000
Public Meetings were attended, and ninety-five new Societies
established.

Wales, as we have seen, from the earliest period of the
Society's history occupied an interesting place in its opera-
tions. To the supply of its urgent demand of the Scriptures,
some of the Society's first efforts were directed ; and
among the warm-hearted people of the Principality it has
always found devoted and most active supporters. It
had long been felt desirable to have an Agent for Wales, who Appoint-

should understand the Welsh as well as theEng-lish languages ; 5?^"*°/

I^ev. T.
and, with this object in view, the services of the Eev. Thomas Phillips as

Phillips, of Hay, were now engaged, at first for a limited ^^^^j°* ^^^

period, but afterwards more permanently; an appointment

attended with the most satisfactory results.

* It will be recollected that Mr. Dudley took a full yliare with Mr.
Phillips, in working- out the plans which each contributed to devise.

166 HISTORY OF THE

CHAPTER XL

REVIEW OF PROCEEDINGS RESPECTING BAPTIST TRANS-
LATIONS IN INDIA.

183G.
Difficulties regarding the Greek icord for " Baptisryi" — Aid
granted hy the Society to the Serampore 3Iissionaries — 3Iemo-
rials of other Missionaries on the renderings of certain words —
Correi'pondence with Dr. Carey, and conferences with mem-
bers of the Baptist 3Iissionary Committee — Various proposals
unavailing — Formation of the Baptist Translation Society.
HOME This may be tlie proper place for introducing a subject which
— through a number of years, at times, painfully engaged the
_ ' attention of the Committee, and the discussion of which ulti-
1836. mately led, as in a former instance, to the formation of a new
Difficulties Society. Tlie subject here referred to relates to the proper
respecting mode of rendering the Greek term for Baptism,
tion of the When the Bible Society was established, the Baptist Mis-
sionaries at Serampore had already entered upon the work of

Greek word
for "Bap-

tism." translating the Scriptures into many of the Eastern languages.

To assist them in their very important and invaluable labours,
the Bible Society contributed considerable sums of money
either directly to the translators, or through the Calcutta Cor-
responding Committee in the first instance, and afterwards
through the Calcutta Auxiliary; insomuch that, down to the
year 1827, the Baptist translators had received from the
Society grants amounting to not less than £27,000 in paper
and money.*

In that year the Committee were for the first time (formally)

* The last grant was made in 1824 : it was tlie sum of £2500, and
was paid on account of ten versions, wliich were then understood to be in
progress. The gTants were discontinued, not in consequence of the
diiierences relating- to Baptism ; for at that time the question, as stated
above, had not been formally brought before the Committee ; but solely
as the result of difficulties which arose in obtaining- the required attesta-
tions to the character, &c., of the versions.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 167

apprised, that in all these translations, the Greek word for HOME.
Baptism had been so rendered as to fix its meaning to the one q^~ xi.
exclusive idea of immersion.* The information came to them —
in the form of a Memorial, signed by twenty-one Missionaries
laboui'ing in India, complaining of the "injury done among
their converts by this limitation of the sense of a Greek term,
which they, and, (as they represented,) the large majority of the
Christian world, believed to be capable of a much wider inter-
pretation." The memorialists suggested that the Bible Society
should support such versions only as adopt the practice of
the English translation, by transferring into the language of the
new version the letters of the Greek word, unless the lan-
guage should contain some term of neutral meaning, which all
parties might consent to adopt.

On the receipt of this Memorial, the Secretary, Mr. Hughes,
was requested to correspond, in his private capacity, with the
Rev. Dr. Carey, the senior Missionary and principal translator
at Serampore, for the purpose of ascertaining whether there
was any prospect of the Baptist brethren there relaxing in their
strict mode of rendering the disputed terms. The reply of
Dr. Carey, which was not received till the spring of 1830, was
by no means favourable, and the Committee at that time de-
clined coming to any decisive resolution.

In the mean time the subject had engaged the attention of
the Calcutta Auxiliary ; and the Serampore translators, failing
to obtain the countenance of that Committee to the principle
of translation they had adopted, referred the matter to the
Baptist Missionary Body at home, who fully sustained their
brethren in India, in the course they had taken in declining
to adapt their versions to the views of the Calcutta Auxiliary,
and resolved on bringing the subject again before the Parent
Committee in London, by appealing to them for pecuniary
assistance in behalf of their Bengalee version.

The application was accordingly made, and the subject was
discussed at various times, in personal interviews with the
Committee, who, after some delay, occasioned by the expec-

* Before this time, communications on the subject had passed between
some of the Serampore Missionaries and Mr. Hug-hes, but the latter liad
not thouj;-ht it necessary to broacli the subject in Committee.

168 HISTORY OF THE

HOME, tation of further advices from India, adopted and forwarded

ChapTxi. the following resolution : — " That this Committee will cheerfully

— afford assistance to the Missionaries connected with the Bai)-
1 836

tist Missionary Society in their translation of the Bengalee

Bibfe°S^oci- "^^^ Testament, provided the Greek terms relating to Bap-
ety to leave tism be rendered either according to the principle adopted by
words"un- ^^^^ translators of the authorised English version, by a word
translated, derived from the original, or by such terms as may be con-
sidered unobjectionable by the other denominations of Chris-
tians composing the Bible Society."

This called forth a resolution from the Baptist Missionary
Society in which reasons are assigned by the Committee for
the regret felt by them at the conclusion to which the Bible
Society had arrived.*

The document containing these reasons was transmitted to the
Committee of the Parent Society, who, "under the impression
that further discussion was in no wise calculated to lessen the
difference of opinion, did not proceed to a particular conside-
ration of the various points advanced by the Baptist Missionary
Society, or to the preparation of specific replies to each par-
ticular."

Thus the matter rested for a time, with mutual expressions
of kindly feeling and regret.

In 1836 a further application for aid in favour of their
versions was made by the Baptist Missionary Board, but
under some modifications.
Specific It appears that the Baptist Missionaries at Serampore and Cal-

from'The°° cutta had consented to print for the Calcutta Bible Society an
Baptist edition of their Bengalee New Testament, with the words "bap-
So'dety "^ tizo," &c., untranslated. They also had consented to alter any
passage to agree with the English, in which, through a regard
to the original, they had deviated from it.f On being informed
of this, the Committee of the Baptist Missionary Society ap-
pointed a deputation to wait on Lord Bexley, the President of the
Bible Society, that they might state their view on the subject.
An interview took place at the Society's house, when, besides

* For these reasons, see Report of the Baptist Missionary Society for
1834.

t See " Baj)tist Memorial," Apjiendix, p. oO.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 169

the President, the Secretary and some other gentlemen con- HOME,
nected with the Society were present, and the business was chap.XI.
discussed at considerable length. In compliance with the —
invitation of the President, an official application was sub-
sequently forwarded by the Committee of the Baptist Missio-
nary Society, expressing their earnest hope, that as the
Missionaries at Calcutta had agreed to print for the Auxiliary
Society in that city an edition of 5000 copies of the Bengalee
New Testament, with certain specified alterations, the Com-
mittee of the Bible Society w^ould make a grant for the pur-
pose of furnishing the Baptist Missionaries with a small supply
of the same version, as completed by Mr. Yates for the use
of the Churches and congregations in connection with them.
At the same time the Baptist Missionary Society renewed
their application for pecuniary aid to the new translation of
the Old Testament then in progress.

After much discussion the Committee declined complying declined
with the request for aid on the part of the Baptist Missionary Bible^So-
Society, in printing a separate edition of the Bengalee New ciety Com-
Testament, in which the words for " baptizo,^^ &c., are rendered
by words signifying immersion; at the same time expressing the
sincere regret experienced by them in not being able to arrive at
any other conclusion. At the special request of Mr. Dyer, the
Secretary of the Baptist Missionary Society, who was present
by invitation at some of the discussions, the Committee, con-
trary to their usual practice, furnished some of the reasons On
which their resolution was founded. These reasons, as adopted
by the General Committee, are given below.*

In regard to the aid requested for the Old Testament,
a grant was made of £150, to cover the expenses incurred in
preparing the Bengalee Psalter, it appearing that that version
had been highly approved of by the Committee of the Cal-

* First, While this Committee give full credit to the friends of the
Baptist Missionary Society, that they are actuated by conscientious
motives in urg'ing the duty of translating- the original terms, and ren-
dering- them by terms sig-nifying- immersion, this Committee are bound
to give credit also to the motives of others, who no less conscientiously
and uprightly believe, that the original terms in the Greek do not neces-
sarily and always imply washing- by biwiersiun.

Srcond/i/,

170

HISTORY OF THE

HOME.

Chap. XL

1836.

Protest
from the
Baptist
Body.

cutta Auxiliary; and, subject to the same approval of the
translation, a grant of £250 towards the Bengalee Pentateuch;
with a proffer of further aid as other parts of the Old Testa-
ment might be completed, and obtain the like approval.

Here the matter terminated so far as regarded the Bible
Society ; but upon the correspondence which had taken place
being brought before the Baptist Body in this country,
a protest was prepared, which was signed by above 500 of the
ministers connected with the Baptist Union, and presented in
March of the following year. The Committee, however,
while receiving so important a document with all consideration
and respect, did not think it expedient to re-open the discussion
— a discussion, not critical and polemical, (for such they never
allowed themselves to render it,) but, in their judgment, simply
prudential.

The subject is thu.s summarily referred to in the Report
of the Society for 1837 :

"Unwilling as the Committee may be to advert to diffe-
rences of opinion, it seems but right to state, that between the
Baptist Missionary Society and members connected with that
denomination of Christians, and themselves, discussions have
taken place relative to the translation (in some of the Eastern
versions) of the words "baptizo," &c., by terms signifying
immersion, or leaving them, as in the English Bible, imtrans-
lated. Your Committee, having considered of whom the
Society is composed, and that there are in its bosom many

Secondly, That, inasmuch as this Society itself, and its Committees,
and sub-Committees, are composed of persons, holding- on this subject
widely different opinions, and it is no part of the duty of the Committees
or sub-Committees to adjust such differences of opinion, it seemed most
desirable to fall back upon the practice resorted to in the English and
other versions.

Thirdly, That they feel more encouraged in recommending this course,
inasmuch as the practice of not translating the word ISarrri^Qi leaves the
matter without prejudice to any ; while the adoption of a contrary course
Avould at least wear the appearance of a disposition to favour the views
of one body of Christians, at the expense of those of others.

Fourthly, That in assigning these reasons, it is not meant to convey the
idea, that each and all of them were felt alike by such members of this
Committee as united in the recommendation to decline the aid requested ;
some having been influenced by one consideration, and others by another.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 171

who as conscientiously object, with reference to new versions, HOME,
to the use of terms exclusively signifying immersion, as others ChapTxi.
conscientiously plead for such a rendering;, and that it was —
utterly impossible for them to decide the controversy, whether
theologically or philologically considered — determined to ad-
here to the course taken in the English and many other
versions ; which they were the more encouraged to do, seeing
that it leaves all, in their ministerial instructions, free to give
that view of the subject they deem the correct one. Your
Committee are quite aware that objections may be easily
offered to the plan that has been pursued; but it seemed on
the whole the best. The limits of a Report will not allow
fuller notice of the subject."*

It may be convenient, in order to preserve a connected view Further
of the whole subject, to state here, that, in the beginning of the ws'^to'the
year 1840, a fresh appeal was made to the Bible Society, in year 1840.
*' a Memorial," drawn up and presented by the Committee of
the Baptist Union, in the name of the whole body.

This document is described by the memorialists as "another
and a final effort to induce a reversal of the measure by which
translations of the New Testament executed by Baptist Mis-
sionaries in India had been denied the support of the British
and Foreign Bible Society." In the course of it, much use
is made of, and a fresh argument sought to be founded upon,
certain remarks and admissions on the subject of versions, con-
tained in the Society's Report for 1839, where the Committee,
in reply to some attacks made from another quarter, (which
will be hereafter noticed,) explain the course adopted by them
in regard to some of the older European versions.

The Memorial received a full and careful consideration.
A document was drawn up, not professing to give a full and
detailed answer to all its statements and arguments, but to
record the opinion of the Committee on a few of its leading
particulars. In this paper a respectful acknowledgment

* " Strictures " on the course pursued by the Bible Society were
pubhshed in " a Letter to Lord Bexley," by Rev. J. Hinton. 1837.
On the other hand, the conduct of the Bible Society was defended by
another Baptist minister, in a pamphlet entitled " The Bible Society Vin-
dicated, by Elihu." The first edition appeared in 1836; a second, enlarged
and much improved, edition in 1837.

1836.

172 HISTORY OF THE

HOME, is made of the " value of the services rendered to the cause
ChapTxi. of translation by those eminent servants of God — Carey,
Marshman, and Ward, as well as by subsequent labours of the
same body." The formation of a separate Society, or the
adoption of separate measures by a whole body of the Society's
constituents, liitherto happily miited in the promotion of one
common object, is deprecated, and the memorialists are affec-
tionately appealed to, to review their position, and to consider
whether, in maintaining it so strongly, they are not pressing
their conscientious feelings beyond just limits.

To this appeal the memorialists, after entering at some
length into an examination of the comments of the Committee
on their former document, intimate that, after reviewing their
position, they did not see that they could consistently alter it.
Formation These several documents were printed and circulated among
ot the Bible their friends by the respective parties. The result of the
latiou So- whole was, that the Baptist body, finding themselves unsuccess-
^^^^^' ful in their attempts to obtain aid for their translations on

the terms on which alone they thought they could conscien-
tiously accept of it, proceeded to form a new Society, under
the title of the "Bible Translation Society," its object being
to support and countenance those translations alone which
render the controverted Greek words by terms exclusively
signifying immersion.*

It is gratifying to mention, that while the Baptists, as a deno-
mination, have thus adopted a diverging line on this particular
question, there are a goodly number of individuals among
them who continue to support the Society, being retained in
fellowship with it by an undiminished regard for its general
object and principles.

* This movement was not approved by the entire Baptist Body. A
pamphlet was published entitled " The Bible Translation Society of the
Baptists shown to be uncalled for and injurious, by a Baptist," in which
the arguments and statements of the Memorial are freely examined.

The controversy also called forth two critical and learned pamphlets
on the meaning" of the Greek terms for Baptism, one by Eev. Dr. Hen-
derson, the other by Rev. E. Beecher, of America.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 173

CHAPTER XII.

SYSTEMATIC VISITATION AND LOCAL AGENCIES IN LARGE

TOWNS; AND ATTACK ON THE SOCIETY'S CONTINENTAL

VERSIONS.

1836—1839.

Hon. Mrs. Vansittai't'' s bequest — Suj?port given to the Bible cause
in Wales — Visitation in the MetrojwUs — Death of J3ishops
Bathurst and Burgess, Vice-Presidents — of Rev- C. Simeon,
Professor Parish, and Mr. Tarn — Scriptures for the Blind
— Agencies in large toums — Activity of Merchant Seainen's
Society — Death of Bishops of Sodor and 3Ian, and Madras,
and of T. Babington, Esq. — Grants to London City Mis-
sion—to Manchester, Sfc. — Attach on the Society's Continental
Versions — Vindication by Rev. Joseph Joicett and Mr. Radley.

While the above discussions and movements were going on, HOME,
which could hardly fail to detract in some degree from the „^ "^jj
cordial support and interest of some of the Society's earliest
and very valuable friends, the Institution, on the whole, was
still sustained in undiminished strength and in much pro-
sperity. The funds of the Society this year were the largest
attained in any single year hitherto, amounting to £108,740,
derived from the usual sources. One donation which con-
tributed to swell this amount, was that of Mrs. Sophia Van-
sittart, sister of the noble President, "a lady whose name was
long associated with works of faith and love." This lady had,
in 1821, executed a Trust, in which she made provision, and
directed that £10,000 Three per Cents, should be paid to the
Society at her decease, which took place in this year.

It was thought right this year to close the Negro Fund. Close of
From its first opening, to March 31, 1837, there had been con- YxmA.
tributed £16,249. 5^. ^d. — a noble expression of British sym-
pathy and benevolence. The cost of the Testaments required,
with the expenses, had only amounted to £13,657.2^. The

1836.

174 HISTORY OF THE

HOME, balance was held in reserve, and principally appropriated for
Ch. XII. the purpose of benefiting the Negroes of the Mauritius and
j~ the Cape of Good Hope, (whose period of freedom was some-
what later), by providing them also with copies of the Scrip-
tures, to be used in schools, or given to those who should
make sufficient proficiency in reading to avail themselves of
the gift.

The Rev. W. Acworth, one of the Domestic Agents, having
this year resigned his connection with the Society, a new
arrangement of the districts was made, so as to brmg the
whole kingdom under a more convenient system of visitation.
The beneficial results of the appointment in the preceding
year of an Agent for Wales, soon began to show themselves. In
every part of the Principality visited by Mr. Phillips, he was
received with a cordial welcome, and several official expressions
of approbation were transmitted. Among these was one from an
important Meeting of the Calvinistic Methodists, in which the
I.arge total gratifying fact was stated, that up to that time " Wales had been
butiom'^" pei'mitted to assist in the glorious work by contributions
from the amounting to nearly £90,000, and had received from the Society
more than 350,000 Bibles and Testaments." * Since then, a
very large increase has taken place in both these particulars :
indeed, in proportion to its population and its means, no part
of the world has done more to promote the objects of the

* For an interesting- account of this Meeting, see " Monthly Extracts,"
July 1836. The Resolution passed on the occasion was as follows : —

"Resolved— That this Meeting- embraces this opportunity of acknow-
ledging-, with devout gratitude to Almighty God, the great success which
has attended the labours of the British and Foreign Bible Society, in trans-
lating-, printing, and circulating the Sacred Scriptures, both at home and
abroad : and for the honour conferred upon Wales, m being- permitted to
assist in the glorious work, by contributions amounting* to nearly £90,000 :
and gratefully remembering that the Principality has received from the
Society more than 350,000 Bibles and Testaments, we feel ourselves under
peculiar obligations to furnish this evidence of our continued interest in
its objects, and our firm purpose to assist in the work of filHng the whole
world with the word of God. For tliis purpose, we recommend all our
congregations to redouble their exertions in the good cause ; and b}^ per-
sonal 1-abour, pecuniary contributions, and fervent praj^ers, to contribute
towards making the way of God known in the earth, and His saving-
health among all nations."

Princi
pality

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 175

Society than the Principality of Wales. The Isle of Anglesea HOME.

has for several years remitted not less than from £600 to £700 c^ "xii.

per annum, the greater part being free contributions. Nor do —

the natives of the Principality, when they migrate from its soil,

lose their interest in the Bible Society, for the Cambrian

Societies established in London, Liverpool, Manchester,

Chester, and other parts of England, are among the most

liberal of the Society's affiliated Listitutions. The annual

collections, from the Welsh congregation at Liverpool alone,

have often amounted to £300 and £400.

The efforts of the Society's London Agent, together with Destitu-

other inquiries that were set on foot about this time, relative to *'°° °/

^ / _ , Scriptures

the spiritual wants of the vast population of the metropolis, in tbe
brought out some appalling discoveries of the still existing ^*^°P° '^'
want of the Scriptures. In a district, inhabited by 3296
families, it was ascertained that 581 families were destitute
of the sacred volume. In a second district, out of 850 families,
344 were without the Scriptures; and of 1147 families visited
in Whitechapel, only 128 were found to possess copies of the
Scriptures ; so difficult is it to overtake the necessities of an
ever-growing and ever-varying population.

Considerable supplies were also requested for Scotland this Supplies to
year, in consequence of the aflfectingly destitute state of the j^^^^^ '^ ^"
poor Highlanders, of whom a population of at least 60,000
were threatened with the calamity of famine. A benevolent
gentleman, J. W. Lillingstone, Esq., of Lochalsh, exerted
himself greatly on this occasion as the almoner of the
Society.

The Sunday School Society for Ireland distinguished itself
this year by remitting to this country, in return for books
received, no less a sum than £1401. 5s. To this, as well as
other Societies for Ireland, liberal supplies as usual, were
granted.

Two of the Society's earliest episcopal Vice-Presidents were Numerous
this year removed by the hand of death— the Bishop of Norwich, tifg go °
Dr. Bathurst, and Dr. Burgess, Bishop of Salisbury. It is not f^'-^^y
easy now to estimate rightly the value of the countenance and
support afforded by such names in the early days of the Society.
To these are to be added the names of the Rev. C. Simeon

176

HISTORY OF THE

HOME.

Ch. XII.

1837.

Mr. Taiu.

Memorial

and Professor Farish — names long associated with the Bible
Society and many other religious and benevolent Institutions.
Their services were of no ordinary character in the earlier
days of the Society's history. When it was far from popular
to do so, they stood forward as the Society's fearless advocates.
If not the originators of the Cambridge Auxiliary, it was by
their encouragement and counsel that the plan for its establish-
ment was matured, and many of the clergy, both at home and
abroad, were favourably influenced in regard to the Society
by the example of these eminent men.

Another loss was experienced this year by the death of Mr.
Joseph Tarn, the Society's valued and honoured Assistant
Secretary and Accountant. Mr. Tarn had appeared less
before the public, yet he had sustained an equal share of the
weight and responsibility of the affairs of the Society with
Owen, Hughes, and Steinkopff, as also with their successors
in the same department. In an affectionate tribute to his
memory, the Committee record their sense of his worth
"as that of a most valuable fellow-labourer — one of those
few" remainino; friends who had known the British and Foreio;n
Bible Society in its very first risings and smallest beginnings;
who had, in fact, personally assisted in the preparatory arrange-
ments which ultimately led to its establishment, in the year
1804. At the same time they feel constrained to bless God
that, by his overruling providence, their departed friend was
led to enter into an intimate connection with the Institution,
by accepting the important and responsible offices of Assistant
Secretary and Accountant ; and that he was enabled, by His
grace, for nearly thirty-three successive years, to perform the
many and diversified duties of those offices, with a degree of
regularity and order, of steadiness and perseverance, of sound
practical knowledge of business, of strict integrity, and constant
attention to the best interests of the Society, so as justly to
endear his memory to its friends and supporters. In the per-
formance of his duties he was actuated by far higher than mere
personal considerations. He was under the influence of real,
solid. Christian principle. To serve his God, and to render
himself useful in his day and generation, was his simple but
noble object. Having himself deeply felt the inestimable value.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 177

of the word of Life, he longed to see it universally diffused; HOME,
and having in his own soul experienced the grace of that ch^II
adorable Redeemer, of whom the Scriptures testify, he desired —
that His sacred name and blessed Gospel should be proclaimed
to the very ends of the earth."

Mr. Tarn was succeeded in his office by Mr. William Hitchiu.

The attention of the Society was this year first directed to Scriptures
the interesting subject of printing the Scriptures for the BlimL
Blind.

It having been found that by means of raised letters, the
Scriptures might be brought into use by the Blind, the Society
cheerfully encouraged so benevolent a project, by grants of
money towards aiding in this novel mode of conveying
inspired truth to the apprehension of this afflicted class. The
sum of £150 was voted to an Institution for this purpose at
Bristol. Encouragement was also given to similar efforts in
Edinburgh and Glasgow. The Institution for the Blind at
Boston, which at that time had taken the lead in this labour of
true charity, was assisted to print an edition of the Psalter, by
a grant of £150, and a circular was issued inviting the attention
of the friends of the Blind to the subject.

The records of the Society afford many affecting and inter-
esting incidents, illustrative of the advantages which the Blind
are capable of deriving from this new source of occupation and
enjoyment.* From that time the Society has continued to
render assistance to this mode of printing. No particular
system has been exclusively aided, as it seemed desirable that
fuller opportunity should be given to test the merits of each.f

The year next ensuing was characterized by continued
prosperity, and, so far as regarded tlie proceedings of the Com-
mittee, with unbroken harmony. "Nothing from within,"
they remark, "and, happily, nothing from without, was per-
mitted for a single moment to divert their attention from the
great object which they had in view;" no jarring sentiment or
feeling was recollected to have disturbed their deliberations.

* See "Extracts," June and July 1837.

t Several systems of printing- for the Blind have been devised, bearing-
tlie names respectively of Moon, Frere, Lucas, &c., each one of which has
been more or less promoted by the Society's grants : among- these, that
of Moon seems to possess peculiar claims.

178

niSTOEY OP THE

HOME.
Ch. XII.

1837.

l.ocal
;igencies.

Further
grants to
the High-
lands, Sic.

Such has been, if not invariably, yet to a great extent the
experience of the Society's Committees. Many a tranquil
happy hour has been passed in listening to its extensive cor-
respondence, or in friendly and mutual counsel upon its multi-
form affairs; and if, at times, these deliberations have been
disturbed, — much oftener, however, from without than fromx
within, — the mutual feeling of confidence and goodwill has
quickly diffused itself, like oil upon the ruffled surface, and
the stream has soon resumed its even and tranquil course.

The issues and sales of the Holy Scriptures by the Society
abroad, during the year now under review, were unprece-
dented ; and, though somewhat diminished at home, they were
still very considerable ; while the regular and free contributions
of the Society showed a decided increase. In this and the pre-
ceding year, above 200 new Societies were formed ; and the
number might easily have been increased, had not the time
and attention of the Agents been engrossed by attendance at
Anniversary Meetings.

Now was commenced the practice, on the part of the Parent
Society, of supplying gratuitously the Local Societies wuth the
books and papers which are required for conducting the details
of business ; a measure which proved gratifying and encou-
raging to many friends of the Institution, and materially
promoted the establishment of new Associations. They had
been previously charged to the account of the several So-
cieties.

The desirableness of Local Agencies now began to force itself
on the attention of some of the larger Auxiliaries ; and in four of
these, Ashton-under-Lyne, Manchester and Sal ford, Plymouth
and Devonport, and Norwich, the system was adopted; the
agents being appointed by the respective Committees of these
Auxiliaries, subject to their control, and remunerated by them,
or by means of a special private subscription.

Fresh grants were made to the Highlands, through J. W.
Lillingstone, Esq., of Lochalsh, the gentleman already referred
to, who kindly and zealously superintended the distribution of
the Scriptures, amounting to 2500 Gaelic Bibles and 1500 Testa-
ments, among the poor in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland,
who were still suffering severely from the effects of famine. A

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 179

very interesting report of a visit to this sceneof labour was fur- HOME,
nished by Dr. Paterson.* A pleasing and substantial expression Cu.^II.
of the sense entertained of the Society's bounty, was supplied —
by a remittance of £62. 6s. lOd. from the poor Highlanders in
the parish of Lochalsh, collected at the two churches in the parish.
" This is perfectly astonishing," writes Dr. Paterson, " as the
usual Highland collection at the church door seldom reaches
£1 ; so grateful were these poor people for the heavenly
boon."

A grant of 600 Bibles and Testaments was also made to the
poor of Paisley, then suffering greatly from the stagnation of
trade, which had thrown 3000 boys and girls, from the age of
seven to fifteen, out of employment.

The Congregational Union of Scotland received a grant of
500 Bibles and 900 Testaments, chiefly for distribution among
the Highlanders in the islands and on the main land.

The total grants to Ireland this year amounted to 66,200
copies.

The Merchant Seamen's Society, the formation of which Activity ot
iinder favourable auspices, was referred to in the former part Seamen's
of this history, continued actively and perseveringly to attend Society,
to the wants of the interesting class of men falling within their
sphere of influence. Few vessels, either belonging to our own,
or to foreign countries, passed up and down the river without
a visit from some one of this Auxiliary's indefatigable agents.
The plan and regulations of this useful Society were fur-
nished to the Committee of the French and Foreign Bible So-
ciety, who adopted a resolution to form similar Societies for
seamen in every part of France.

The Society had this year to mourn the loss by death of the
following from among its Vice-Presidents: — The Bishop of
Madras, the Bishop of Sodor and Man, and Thomas Babington,
Esq. A memorial adopted by the Commitee on the decease of
the Bishop of Madras, contains a brief account of his history
and labours.

"Descended from an ancient family in Scotland, but brought Memorial
up in an English country village, he early formed the design Corrie."'^
of devoting his life to the extension of the kingdom of Christ

* See Keport for 1838; also "Monthly Extracts," Oct. 1837.
X 2

ISO HISTORY OF THE

HOME, among the heathen; and soon after his ordination he was

Ch^II. enabled, by an appointment to a chaplaincy under the Hon.

— East-India Company, to commence the execvition of that
1838. , . I J'

design.

"As the memorable Dr. Claudius Buchanan sailed from the
Hooghly, on his visit to the Syrian Christians of Travancore,
Daniel Corrie entered it, and reached Calcutta at the latter end
of the year 1806. There he was welcomed as the beloved
associate of David Brown and of Henry Martyn, who had
preceded him to that land of darkness. One of the earliest
acts of this devoted evangelist was to admit into the Christian
Church, by the rite of baptism, aMahommedan, Avho had been
recently brought to the knowledge and love of the Gospel.
He named him Abdool Messeeh — 'the servant of Christ;' and
the title may be taken as a faithful description of them both —
for there was between them a striking resemblance. Firmness
of mind, calmness in decision, simplicity of manners, untiring
perseverance, and the most winning affection, eminently cha-'
racterized both the disciple and his teacher; and their joint
labours, by the blessing of their common Master, were crowned
with extensive success. In later years, Daniel Corrie, as
Senior Chaplain, succeeded to the post which had been so
long and ably filled by David Brown at Calcutta, and became
at once the dear friend, and the wise and disinterested adviser
of every one who had at heart the cause of Christ in India.
His counsel was sought after and valued by all the bishops
who, in fatally rapid succession, presided over the then undi-
vided Indian Diocese, and by him, as Archdeacon of Calcutta,
their lack of service was supplied, so far as it could be done, when
the see was vacant. The experience thus acquired, together
with his well-tried Christian fidelity, having at length recom-
mended him to a higher dignity, he was consecrated, at
Lambeth, first Bishop of Madras, in the year 1835."
Concluding The Conclusion of the Annual Report for this year may not
remarks of impi-Qperly be appealed to, as illustrating the spirit in which
1838. ' the Directors of the Society sought to conduct its affairs, and
the solemn sense of responsibility which they considered ought
to rest on all entrusted with its administration, or who have it
in any way in their power to promote its important object.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 181

The appeal cannot be looked upon as inappropriate at any HOME,
period of the Society's history. Ch.IciI.

" The questions of stirring interest, which at present agitate —
our own beloved country — questions, for the solution of which
it is so important to the well-being of all classes that the
majestic voice of Inspired Truth should be duly heard, and its
imperative claims not compromised, but unflinchingly main-
tained ; — the storm which seems rising in many of the countries
of Europe, and of wdiich more than the distant murmurings
have already reached us ; a storm, the consequence, as it would
appear, of the extent and success of those very operations, in
which our Society has borne so large a part ; — these conside-
rations, in addition to the new demands likely to be made on us
from other quarters, all tend to throw us back on a careful
examination of our principles, and a not less careful scrutiny
into our motives and spirit.

" Have we that deep, and full, and irrepressible conviction of
the supreme excellence and paramount authority, and, for all
the essential matters of religion, entire sufficiency of the written
word of God, which we ought to have, and must have, to
ensure our labouring in this cause (as we alone can labour
with any prospect of success) with unwearied devotion ?

"Are we thus prepared, with Christian fortitude, yet with
Christian meekness — in a spirit of zeal and lofty enterprise,
yet at the same time of faith, humility, and prayer — laying-
aside inferior differences — one in effort, and, as it respects this
object at least, one in heart — are we prepared thus to come
and consecrate ourselves afresh to this service ?

"All things around us and beyond us, in the moral and
spiritual state of mankind, seem to bid us advance : the call to
go forward is too loud to be misunderstood, too piercing and
solemn to be resisted. Necessity is laid upon us : we dare not
go back; we must not even halt. Let us place before ourselves
the wide and still enlarging field of our labours ; let us conceive
of the benefits, temporal and everlasting, which may be looked
for, should a merciful God continue to smile on our work;
let us think of our responsibilities, and then of our prospects
and our hopes ; and, 'by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and bv our iratherino; toirether unto Him ' let us be warned

182

HISTOUY OF THE

HOME.
Ch. XII.

1839.

Destitution
of the
metropolis.

50,000
families
without the
Scriptures.

Grants to
the City-
Mission,
and other
Institu-
tions in
Jjondon

never to rest, till, having given the Bible in every tongue, we
can point to the open volume, and exclaim, 'O Earth!
Earth! Earth! hear the word of the Lord.'"

An important measure was adopted during the year on
which we are now entering, which deserves special notice.
The still existing destitution of the Scriptures in the metropolis
has been lately referred to. This destitution was now brought
very affectingly under the notice of the Society, principally
through the labours of an Institution then coming into exten-
sive operation, under the name of the London City Mission.
That Society having, through its agents, entered into a detailed
investigation of the state of the metropolis, as to the actual
supply of the Scriptures, arrived at the conclusion that there
would not be fewer than 50,000 families, amongst whom
neither Bible nor Testament was at that time to be found.
This fearful destitution they felt it to be their duty to bring
before the Committee of the Bible Society, together with plans
for more effectually meeting it. Literviews between the con-
ductors of the two Societies accordingly took place, when the
subject was fully gone into. After much deliberation, a
circular was issued, on the part of the Bible Society, addressed
to the Committees and Officers of the Auxiliary and Branch
Bible Societies and Associations in the metropolis and its
immediate neighbom-hood, together with the Committees and
Officers of the London City Mission, the District Visiting, the
Christian Instruction, the Pastoral Aid, Societies, and other
kindred Institutions, authorizing them to apply to the Bible
Society for such supplies of the Testament and Psalter as they
might require for the purpose of lending among these desti-
tute families. The plan of a loan was judged preferable to
any other mode of meeting the existing exigency, and several
suggestions and regulations were embodied in the circular,
with the view of rendering the distribution as economical,
efficient, and unexceptionable as possible.

Several Bible Societies and Associations undertook the
supply of their own locality. The District Visiting Society
applied for, and received 1500 copies; the Christian Instruction
Society was supplied with 500 copies; and the City Mission, after
concluding their very laborious examinations, conducted, there

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETl'. 183

is every reason to believe, in a faithful and judicious manner, HOME.

presented a claim for upwards of 36,000 copies, all of which ch^II.

were supplied. The whole distribution amounted to 38,54:8 —

'■^ 1839.

copies.

Copious and interesting details were furnished of the manner
in which their books were received, and of the good which, in
very many instances, was found to result from the distribution.*

The population of Manchester being found, in regard to spiri- Similar
tual destitution, to resemble that of the metropolis, a grant, fJanclits-
consisting of 1000 Testaments and Psalms, similar to the above, ter, Bir-
was made to the Manchester Town Mission; to which, in the &c,
following year, were added 1000 more, and to the Birmingham
Auxiliary 2000, for the same purpose. Similar grants, of
various amounts, have been since made, at different times, to
the above, and to other large towns throughout the kingdom.

The report of the Domestic Agency was agam very
encouraging: 125 new Societies were formed during the year.
Of these, forty-two had been established and organized by means
of loc^l agency (alluded to in a former page), the benefits
arising from which began more and more to show themselves.
The Rev. T. Brooke, havmg resigned his office of Domestic
Agent of the Society, the services of Mr. T. J. Boume were
engaged for that department.

The Merchant Seamen's Auxiliary Society reported 18,497
visits during the year, made to ships from various nations, and
3942 copies of Scriptures disposed of.

Large grants continued to be made for the benefit of poor
Highlanders; and the numerous Institutions in the three
kingdoms, accustomed to receive the liberality of the Society,
were assisted as usual, and to a large extent.

At the period now mider review, a movement was made by
the Society formed a few years before, mider the title of the
Trinitarian Bible Society, which proved a source of no small

* For some of these details see '• Mouthly Extracts" for June, July,
August, 1839, also Annual Report 1810, pp. xcix to cii. The District
Visiting books of the London City Mission, containing the names and
residences of all the famiUes visited and supplied by their agents, and a
map of the metropolis, with all the several districts numbered and marked
out for reference, were handed over to the Bible Society, and are preserved
by them as a memorial of this interestuig movement.

184

HISTORY OF THE

HOME.
Ch. XII.

1839.

Attack on
the So-
ciety's
foreign
versions.

annoyance and disquietnde, tlionoh happily of no material
or permanent injury to the elder Society: it had reference to
the suhject of foreign translations or versions.

Attacks had repeatedly been made on some of the Society's
foreign versions, which had either been successfully refuted,*
or otherwise satisfactorily disposed off Those charges, how-
ever, had related, for the most part, to detached and separate
versions : but now a whole class — all such, in fact, as were
made, or were considered to be made, from the Vulgate — were
to be brought under one sweeping condemnation, including
most of the versions in use among the Roman Catholics. The
charge attempted to be established was, that none of them

that to suppose that in largely supplying Roman Catholic
countries with these versions Ave were furnishing them wdth the
Bible, w^as to labour under a delusion. The use made of the
whole was to support an appeal to British Christians to come
forward with liberal contributions, to enable the Trinitarian
Bible Society, as a "Society formed on scriptural principles,''
to substitute, in due time, "faithful versions" made from the
original Hebrew and Greek.

These views and objects of the Trinitarian Bible Society
were put forth in an official document purporting to be a "Re-
port respecting certain versions of the Bible, which are circu-
lated by the British and Foreign Bible Society," and prefaced
by a "Letter," signed by the Secretary of that Society, "ad-
dressed to all who are interested in the circulation of the word
of God." The Report contains an examination of the Portu-
guese version in use among the Roman Catholics, as compared
with the English authorized version, and quotations are given
accompanied with remarks, from the Spanish, French, and
Italian versions, used also by Roman Catholics.

The only official notice taken by the British and Foreign
Bible Society of the above documents, and of the imputations
implied in them, is to be found in the conclusion of the
Society's Annual Report for 1839, in which the subject is thus
introduced: —

* Mahratta — Surinam — French,
t Turkish — Danish.

1S39.

BKITISH AND FOHEIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 185

" If there be any part of the Society's field of labour on which HOME,
your Committee might look back with feelings of peculiar ch.^II.
satisfaction and devout gratitude— any part in which they might
conceive that there are plain manifestations of the Divine
blessing having accompanied their endeavours — it would be
those portions of Roman Catholic countries into which they
have been permitted to pour thousands of copies of the New
Testament, in the Trench, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese
languages; in versions to which the communities in those
countries stand nearly in the same relation as the community
of this country does to the authorized English version."

Similar statements, it appears, had been made at public
meetings, by the Secretary and other advocates of the Trini-
tarian Bible Society, and disseminated through the medium of
the provincial press. These statements had, however, now
assumed a shape and a form which seemed to render it impera-
tive upon the Committee to notice them.

After a brief account of the above "document" and "letter," Exposition
and the reasons why they deemed it imperative upon them not course pur-
to leave them wholly unnoticed, the Committee proceed to sued by the
explain and vindicate the course hitherto pursued by the So-
ciety, and which they indicate it was their intention still to
follow, in regard to foreign versions.

In doing this, it is shown that the principle on which the
Society acted, with regard to foreign versions, had been to
adopt such as were found in use, and, to a greater or less
extent, authorised, in the respective religious communions for
Avhich they were specially intended,providedthey were judged
to be, on the \yho]e,faitIiful wersionsf' and that, with regard to
the versions immediately under accusation, they had been
taken, not in ignorance of their many and serious defects
(which they share, more or less, in common with all versions,
our own excellent authorised English version not excepted) ;
nor yet in preference to, much less to the exclusion of Pro-
testant versions, where they could be advantageously intro-

* An instance is given where the Society's aid was withdrawn altogether
from a Society (the Geneva Bible Society), because it had adopted a new
French version, which bore upon it the stamp and character of an icn-
faithful version.

Cii.XII

1839.

186 HISTORY OF THE

HOME, ducecl ; but simply because, iu such countries as Spain, Por-
tugal, France, and Italy, where the Roman Catholic religion
predominates, it seemed, after some trial, hopeless to expect
any extensive circulation of the Scriptures, except in the
versions recognised by the mass of the people ; and because
experience had shown (a fact which later experience has
largely and fully confirmed) that these imperfect versions,
as they are admitted to be, are capable, under the blessing of
God, of becoming mightily and most efficaciously instru-
mental in exposing error, and in imparting saving truth to the
soul.

It may be observed that the Committee, in their vindication,
do not deprecate or denounce every attempt to form new ver-
sions, or to revise existing ones ; on the contrary, they bid
God-speed to all who may deem themselves called to the
task : but they acknowledge that they themselves shrink from
the magnitude of the attempt, and they plead, that until these
more perfect versions should appear and be accepted, they
might be allowed to carry forward the work with such means
as were already possessed, and from which the Divine sanction
and blessing did not appear to be withheld.

Such, in substance, were the explanations given in justifi-
cation of the Society's proceedings.

But while the Committee contented themselves with thus
simply stating the principle upon which they had acted with
regard to their versions, together with the reasons which seemed
to justify an adherence to that principle in future, there were
other friends of the Society who thought that something
further was desirable, some of whom, in their individual ca-
pacity, now came forward in its defence.
Vindica- "Kemarks" on the pamphlet of the Trinitarian Bible So-

tiou by ciety were published, under the signature of T. H.,* in " Two
Jowett Letters to the Rev. A. Bran dram." These are chiefly occupied
in examining and exposing the character of the criticisms con-
tained in the pamphlet, with a view to show the futility of
some, and the utter groundlessness of others, as well as the
fallacy of the general argument founded upon them.

* T. H. — Eev. Joseph Jowett, Superintendent of the editorial depart-
ment of the Society.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 187

In his preface the writer gives this general description of HOME.
the impugned versions in question : — ^^ *^jj

" All the world knew, or ought to have known, that what —
are called Roman Catholic versions are, in the main, faithful
renderings of the old Latin Vulgate, which (being itself a
revision, made by St. Jerome, of a Latin translation still more
ancient), has been for nearly fourteen centuries the authorised
version of Western Christendom ; that these modern versions
were in existence before the Society began its task of multi-
plication and distribution ; and what is more, that they are
full of Gospel truth ; so full, that, in spite of all the renderings
which are said to favour Popery, the Romish Hierarchy is
persecuting, in its madness, those who circulate or receive
them."

In the course of these letters,J;he following is given as the
true state of the case, with regard to these foreign versions, so
far as the Bible Society was concerned : —

The Writer, still addressing the Secretary of the So-
ciety, remarks — " I would briefly state what I conceive to be
the position of the British and Foreign Bible Society, with
regard to its foreign versions.

" You began with distributing Protestant versions alone,
and have never ceased to distribute them, where they can be
obtained. You did so, even in Portugal ; you have circulated,
and to this day continue to circulate, that very translation
which the Trmitarian Society pronounces to be excellent ; and,
if thej/ are revising it, so also are you.

" Roman Catholics rejected these versions, declaring that
they had been corrupted by the Protestants. The priests de-
nounced, and even burned them ; and the people would not
receive them.

" You knew that they had an ancient version of their own —
the Latin Vulgate — to which the Romish Church assigns an
authority of the very same kind as that which we give to the
English Bible of King James.

"You found that learned individuals, in the different coun-
tries of Europe, had made translations of this authorised ver-
sion, generally accompanying them with notes ; that these
translations were, for the most part, faithful; but that

188 HISTORY OF THE

HOME, while, as literary works, they were countenanced by the
Cu.lill. Hierarchy, the people at large had but little or no access to
— them, in consequence of their voluminous size and their high
price.

" In the Vulgate, thus translated, you knew that there were
indeed discrepancies from our own version, more or less im-
portant, but that the whole mass of Gospel truth was con-
tained therein, nevertheless ; and that, in the hand of the
Spirit of God, they were ' able to make men wise unto sal-
vation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus.'

" You believed that the chief success of the Romish priests,
in twisting to their own purpose certain doubtful or erroneous
renderings, arose from their not giving to the people the entire
word of God in a language wdiich they could understand.
The conversion of Luther and of the other Reformers to a
purer Gospel, by reading the Latin Vulgate, was an ample
warrant for such a belief.

" Separating the foreign versions from their annotations, you
tried a bold experiment. To Roman Catholics, who would
not admit Protestant Bibles, you offered their own. The cry
of the priests still was, * They are falsified.' You disproved
the accusation. The people were convinced ; disregarded their
priests ; and accepted the gift.

" Is this all ? Nay, verily. Gocl himself has ' given testi-
mony to the word of His grace,' by making these books ' the
savour of life unto life' to thousands.
Also by j^ a Defence of the proceedings of the British and Foreign

ley. Bible Society, in reference to the (so-called) Roman Catholic

versions, with a plea for their continued circulation," was also
published by John Radley, Esq., a member of the Committee
of the British and Foreign Bible Society.* In this the writer
shows that Roman Catholic versions (so called, but not with
strict propriety) had long been circulated by the Society, and
that there had been no concealment of the fact : further, that
this practice had arisen, not from any preference for these
versions, considered in themselves ; for in each case, viz. that
of the German, the French, the Italian, the Spanish, the Por-

* Second Edition, Seeley, Fleet Street. A Third Edition, enlarged,
hiis since been published, in I80O.

1839.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 189

tuguese, the attempt had first been made to- introduce the HOME.
Protestant version ; and that, only on the failure, or very q^ "^jj
partial success, of this attempt, had the practice been changed.
Some observations are then made on the general character of
the Vulgate, and of the several versions above alluded to,
derived from it ; while a few of the renderings, which had been
selected and dwelt upon as peculiarly objectionable, are
critically considered, for the purpose of showing that their
imperfections are not such as to forbid their publication. A
number of testimonies are afterwards adduced (from the
French and Foreign Bible Society, and from some of the So-
ciety's well-known correspondents, such as Colonel Tronchin,
Rev. T. Hartley, Rev S. Grimshawe, Rev. Mr. Martin, Rev.
Mr. Monod, Rev. E. Panchaud, Rev. Mr. Devisme, &c.) in
proof of the great and very extensive benefit which had
already arisen from, and which might be expected to follow
the use of these impugned versions.

These testimonies, it is true, are confined to the version by
De Sacy — the French Roman Catholic version ; this version
having had by far the largest circulation, and thus affording
the best opportunity for obtaining evidence of the effects ac-
tually produced by it ; but there is no reason to suppose that
any different result would have followed from other versions,
having the same origin and bearing the same character, espe-
cially if the following statement, made in one of the above
pamphlets, as a conclusion from a large and careful inquiry
into the facts of the case, be sustained, and no refutation of
it appears to have been even attempted.

" It may be just added," says Mr. Radley, " that never yet
has a single instance been recorded in which either a Protestant
has been seduced from his faith, or a Roman Catholic confirmed
in his errors, by means of De Sacy's, or, indeed, by any one of
the Society's Roman Catholic versions ; while, on the other
hand, it is proved beyond all question, that, by the circulation
of these versions, the Protestant cause has gathered large
accessions, and that even Protestants themselves have been
awakened to a more lively sense of their privileges and
duties."

Another pamphlet, on the same subject, was issued by the

1839.

190 HISTORY OF TITE

HOME, same author, entitled, " The Bible Society and its Versions."
ChTxii. These two pamphlets did good service to the Society, and
brought it under no small obligation to its disinterested de-
fender and advocate.

A warm discussion on the subject of versions was kept up
for some time by the Trinitarian Bible Society, or its abettors,
and attempts have been made from time to time to renew it ;
but the above publications, in connection with articles which
liave appeared in different periodical works, contributed to
allay the rising apprehensions of some of the friends of Bible
distribution, and in general to satisfy the members of the
British and Foreign Bible Society that the course pursued by
the Committee was right, and that the circulation of these
versions might safely and profitably be continued, until ver-
sions decidedly better, and equally adapted to the purpose,
should be forthcoming. To this principle the Society still
adheres.

BRTTISTI AND FOEEIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 191

CHAPTER XIII.

REDUCTION OF THE COST OF THE SACRED SCRIPTURES.

1840—1844.

Measures adopted hy the Society for Grants of Scriptures to
Schools, at reduced cost — Agitation of the Right of Printirig
Scriptures — Efforts of Dr. A. Thomson and Dr. Campbell —
Reduced scale adopted hy the Queen's Printers — Improvement
in the quality of Bibles as books — Donation from the Wesleyan
Centenary Fund — Royal Patronage given to the Society —
Fortieth Anniversary of the Society, and concluding Reflections
of the Report.

A REFERENCE liaSj in different parts of our narrative, been HOME,
made to the measures adopted by the Society for assisting the „ ~
schools of the poor, and the poor generally, by an issue of the —
Scriptures, either gratuitously, or at reduced prices. ^^"'

A measure of this kind, important not only in itself, but Measures
from the consequences to which it led, was introduced at the jng cost of
begmning of 1840, and now demands some notice. Bibles to

In the month of January of that year it was resolved to Schools,&c.
issue a Bible and Testament, at the very reduced prices of
eighteenpence and sixpence respectively* — a measure origi-
nally intended for this country, but afterwards extended to the
colonies. The occasion of adopting this Resolution, and the
reasons which led to such a step being taken at that particular
juncture, were set forth in a circular addressed to the Com-
mittees and Officers, &c., of Auxiliaries, with additional Reso-
lutions accompanying it, designed more fully to explain the
principles on which it was intended that the sale of this parti-
cular Bible and Testament should be made.

In this circular it is announced, that the Committee, having

* The cost boin"- 2s. Qd. and Is. Id.

1840.

192 HISTORY OF THE

HOME, had brought under their notice the question regarding a more
Ch.^III. liberal supply of the sacred Scriptures to Sunday Schools,
together with the not less important one, how to make the
Scriptures more accessible to the people generally ; had, after
much deliberation, and taking into account the great interest
excited on the subject of Education in all quarters, and the
portentous aspect of the times, resolved to offer, on the
part of the Society, to supply schools for the poor, of every
kind, with copies of a Bible and Testament, at the prices
stated above (\s. Sd. and 6d.) ; to withdraw the restrictions
heretofore laid on all copies supplied to Sunday Schools, that
they should be '' exclusively for use in the schools ;" and to
permit the children in these and all other schools to enjoy
the same advantage — a general sale of this particular Bible
and Testament at these prices being, at the same time, allowed
to all the Auxiliaries, Branches, and Associations.

In the additional Resolution it was stated that the
object in view, in the contemplated reduction, was to benefit
the 2ioor, and to facilitate the possession of the Holy Scrip-
tures by every young person in Sunday, and other Schools
throughout the kingdom ; but that it was not intended to autho-
rise the sale of Bibles or Testaments to booksellers, or any
other parties, for the purposes of pecuniary advantage.
Various other instructions w^ere added, for carrying the
measure into practical effect.

No sooner was the above determination made known, than
the most gratifying testimonies were forwarded from Auxiliary
Societies, Sunday School Unions, as well as from numerous
individuals in different parts of the country, as to the delight
with which the measure was hailed. This was expressed, not
only in the form of resolutions and letters, but, in several
instances, of special and liberal contributions. The South-
wark Auxiliary, ever foremost in its zeal and activity, distin-
guished itself, on this occasion, by a prompt and liberal
donation of £808 (in addition to its ordinary contributions)
towards meeting the great loss to which, by this measure, the
Parent Society had become exposed. The hope was indulged
that this noble example of the Southwark Auxiliary would
have been followed in other parts of the kingdom, so as to

1511ITISII A^TD FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 193

sustain the Society in a sacrifice, tlie probable extent of which HOME
it was not easy to calculate. —

It was soon, however, discovered, that notwithstanding any "_
special aid which had been received, or could be reasonably ^^^0.
anticipated, the sacrifice which the Society would have to Loss in-
sufFer, by a continuance of the sales in question, would soon this'meif-
reach an amount seriously embarrassing-, if not even exhaust- ?ure, ami
ing to the funds of the Society ; and, at any rate, would be queut sus-
greatly disproportionate, considering the numerous other P^^sion.
claims to wdiich it was liable. It was therefore found neces-
sary, after an experiment of six months, to suspend the
operation of the measure ; the issues during that period, viz.
from February 1st to August 10th, being 382,377 copies, on
which there accrued a loss to the Society of no less a sum
than £14,410.15. Id.

But though this particular measure was suspended, the
object contemplated in it, that of furnishing the Scriptures at
low prices for schools and the poor, was not lost sight of, and
inquiries were instituted, with the view of ascertaining how
far it might be practicable to reduce the loss of the required
books, without materially detracting from their quality.

It may here be remarked that the Committee had long been
intent on the twofold object of reducing the cost, and im-
proving the quality of the books issued by the Society; and
their remarkable success in this endeavour may be seen, by
comparing, both as to price and quality, the books first issued
by the Society, with those in use at the period now referred
to : nor is it surprising, after having been at so much pains,
through a series of years, in raising (and at last fixing) the
standard of qualit}^, that they should have been somewhat
slow in departing from it. Whilst, however, the Committee
were deliberating on the best means of obtaming a reduction
of the prices of certain kinds of books, without material detri-
ment as to their quality, the whole subject was, in a great
measure, taken out of their hands by concurring events, over
which they had but little control, but which led to a reduction
of prices far more extensive than the Society had originally
proposed, or could have previously anticipated.

The circumstance alluded to was the renewal and wide-

194 HISTORY OF THE

HOME, spread agitation of the question relating to the exclusive
CH.li:iII. I'iglit and privilege of certain parties to print the English
— Scriptures. These rights and privileges had long been ex-
clusively enjoyed — in Scotland, by the King's printer for
^ni^\'T^ f ^^^^* kingdom, and in England, by the King's printer, and
printing also by the two Universities of Oxford and Cambridge; in
Scriptures. ^^^^ ^^^.^ former cases by " Letters Patent," in the latter by
ancient and unquestioned " privilege," On the expiration of
the last " patent " for Scotland, which took place in 1839, the
monopoly, for such it strictly was in that country, ceased, and
liberty of printing Bibles and Testaments, as well as other
books heretofore included in the patent, was granted to all,
under certain restrictions, imposed by a " Board " appointed
by Government when the monopoly was abolished.

The subject of exclusive rights and privileges, in regard
to the printing of the Scriptures, was just awakening at-
tention in this country, when the suspension of the measure of
supplying a cheap Bible and Testament to schools by the
Bible Society took place, in consequence of the loss thereby
incurred. This suspension gave great impetus to the dis-
cussion which now ensued.

Availing himself of this circumstance. Dr. Adam Thomp-
son, of Coldstream, who had taken an active part in the pro-
ceedings which had taken place in Scotland,— being powerfully
assisted in England by Dr. John Campbell — proceeded to rouse
the English public to a consideration of the question, by
holding public meetings, and by widely circulating, through
the press, long and earnest appeals, statements, &c., on a
subject which could not fail to interest all religious com-
munities.

The avowed object of these numerous statements and fervid
appeals, was to obtain a great reduction in the price of Bibles
and Testaments, similar to that which had been found to take
place in Scotland on the cessation of the patent. In order to
the attainment of this object, an attack was made on the parties
holding exclusive privileges in this country, more particularly
on the King's printer ; — all of whom were charged with obtain-
ing exorbitant prices, which, it was contended, would no
longer be the case, Avere the liberty of printing the Scrip-

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 195

HOME.

interfere.

tures thrown open^ and a free and unfettered competition
encouraged. Ch. XIII.

It is not necessary here to enter into the history and merits --
of this controversy, especially as the Committee of the Bible
Society felt themselves precluded from taking any part in it. J^^y^p^j^Q^g
Tlie effect of it was, to induce the privileged parties them- made by-
selves to take measures for bringing out numerous editions of p,inter,"
Bibles and Testaments, at greatly reduced prices, which prices ^'^^
have been since still further reduced, so that it has become
questionable whether an entirely open competition could
accomplish more. The object having been, to so happy an
extent, attained, the agitation was speedily allowed to cease.

The subject having awakened considerable interest at the I^eason of

11 n • T • 1 1 1 r •.! tli6 Society

tmie, the results or its discussion were looked tor witli some declining to
anxiety on the part of some of the friends of the Society.
The whole movement is thus adverted to by the Committee, in
their Report for 1841 : —

"From that post of observation in which they have been
placed, and at which they have not been indifferent or care-
less observers, but rather, on the other hand, anxious watchers
of what has been passing around them, they have seen ele-
ments at work which threatened to endanger the peace of the
Society ; but they trust that the danger is past. They have
themselves been invited to take part in certain movements that
have been going forward ; and their reluctance so to do has
been somewhat misunderstood.

" It will be immediately perceived that the Committee here
allude to public proceedings that have taken place, among
friends of the Society, upon the subject of the exclusive right
of printing the English Scriptures, enjoyed by the two Uni-
versities and the Queen's printer. On one point, connected
with that subject, entire unanimity has prevailed in your Com-
mittee ; and they may here take the opportunity of recording
their solemn and deliberate conviction, that it is the duty, not
only of the Committee, but of the Society at large, as a
Society, to abstain from any interference in the matter, either
to promote the continuance, or to obtain the removal, of the
restrictions. In their private capacities, of course, the mem-
bers are left to act entirely according to their own judgment ;
o 2

1841.

196 HISTORY OF THE

HOME, but, as the peace and usefulness of tlie Society are valued,
Cn. X^lII. yovir Committee would implore the Committees of Auxiliarv
Societies, Branches, and Associations, to remain, with them-
selves, in an entirely neutral position.

" While the Committee do not intend to enlarge upon this
subject, there are yet one or two statements which they do
feel called upon to make. As regards themselves, the Com-
mittee can truly say, that the subject of the prices paid for
the Scriptiires, including the purchase of the copies in sheets
and the binding, has ever engaged a large measure of their
attention ; and that they have laboured to obtain them at the
lowest possible price, consistent with a due regard to the
general execution of the work, and the quality of the paper ;
looking partly, indeed, at the beauty of the appearance of the
volume, but much more at its texture and promise of dura-
bility. The Committee might go into detail, showing that, while
the general character of the books issued has been manifestly
improving, the price that has been paid has been proportion-
ably decreasing. To determine the point at which it shall
be said that excellency has. reached its height, is not an easy
matter. It is one upon which a Committee must claim to
exercise its best judgment. Perhaps it may be thought that,
in adopting the standard by which they have been guided, the
Committee have erred, and have raised it too high ; but it
does become them frankly to declare, that, up to the time of
the suspension of the issue of the cheapened Bibles and Testa-
ments in August last, they had thought that Bibles and
Testaments, inferior in quality to those previously used, ought
not to be issued ; so that they must, in all fairness, admit that
a portion of blame, if blame there be, for the comparatively
high price which has been paid for the Scriptures, attaches
to themselves.

" Again, it would seem, from the recently published Cata-
logue of the Queen's printer, that great reductions are now
made to the trade and to the public, for books that are still to
be kept up in their quality to that standard below which the
Committee declined to make purchases up to the month of
AiTgust last. The Committee do not feel it to be their afifin'r
to offer either explanations or apologies for these reductions :

BRITISH AXD FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 197

l)vit it is only just to themselves and to tlie Printer to say, HUiME.
that, for a considerable time before the present agitation on ^^^ ^jjj
the subject arose, the Printer had been supplying the Bible —
Society, as large consumers, at prices even lower than
those at which he now offers to supply the trade and the public.

" On the subject of other remarkably cheap editions now
oftered to the Society, the Committee have only to say that
they freely relinquish their own long-cherished opinion as to
the standard of quality, and have placed them all upon the
Society's lists ; and will rejoice, together with others, in the
hope that they may contribute to a much larger distribution
of the Sacred Volume in our own beloved land, the wants of
which are still far from being supplied."

The discussion relating to a reduction of the prices of Bibles Biuding of
and Testaments, though it turned chiefly on the point of the ^'^'^^ ""*
printing of the books, naturally included, also, a consideration cost re-
of the binding ; a branch of the work with which the privileged theSociety
printers had nothing to do. In this department a considerable
reduction was now effected, and a greater variety was intro-
duced into the manner and style of binding, so as to render
the volumes more attractive; it being, however, stipulated
by the Society that the books in superior and ornamental
bindings should not be sold under cost price.

The Society now returned to the supply of books at low
prices for schools and the poor, with a much smaller loss
than heretofore: the price was fixed at 6d. for a Testa-
ment, and 1*. 9d. for a Bible ; afterwards reduced to 4(/.
and 10c/., at which the price continues to the present day.

The following reflections, which occur in a preceding Re-
port, may not be found out of place here : —

" Is it not also a striking fact, that the sales of the Holy
Scriptures should continue to be so large, especially at home?
Should it not awaken our gratitude to know that, when infi-
delity, either openly or in a new disguise, is seeking to pre-
judice the lower classes of our countrymen against all
subordination, all social order, and religion under every form,
that blessed book, Avhich is the source of the highest law, of
the purest morality, and of the divinest hope, is, on so large a
scale, more in request than ever ?

198

HISTORY OP THE

HOME.

Ch. XIII.

1842.

Donation
from the
Wesleyan
Centenary
Fund.

" And, connected with this, may not the Committee advert
to another pleasing fact, namely, that this increasing desire
for the Sacred Volume is met by increased facilities for
obtaining it? Is it not a circmnstance to be accepted as a
pledge of mercy, perhaps as a signal provision against evils
which the times portend, that in so small a form, and at so
small a cost, may now be possessed, even by the poorest of
the people, the whole of that Revelation which God has con-
descended to preserve for the guidance and hope of His
Church?

"And here the Committee are sure that you will join
them in the delightful reflection, that, in thus cheapening
the Sacred Volume, we do not lessen its intrinsic worth — it is
the casket which is homely, the gem still retains its pvmty and
richness : the peasant, or the peasant's child, Avhen taking the
cheap Bible in his hand, looks upon the same great truths, the
same exceeding great and precious promises, the same sublime
and holy precepts, the same disclosures of God, of Christ, and
of heaven, as meet the eye of the prince when he bends over
the vellumed page, or touches the gilded leaf. Both equally
read, that ' God is no respecter of persons ' — that the * same
Lord over all, is rich unto all that call upon Him ' — that there
is but one ' name under heaven given among men, whereby
we must be saved ' — and that through Christ we all ' have
access by one Spirit imto the Father. "

In the early part of the year 1843, a donation of £1000
was presented to the Society from the Wesleyan Centenary
Fund, intended as an "expression of the firm and undimi-
nished attachment of the Wesleyan body to the object, the
principles, and the general plan and constitution of the British
and Foreign Bible Society, and of their grateful sense of the
invaluable services rendered by it to the spiritual interests of
large masses of the human race, and to the cause of evangelical
truth and piety at home and abroad, and as a distinct testi-
monial of the esteem and regard of themselves and their friends
for the Society, as indispensably and pre-eminently auxiliary
to the success of the various Missionary Institutions, and in
particular, as having evinced its liberality towards the Wes-
leyan Missionary Society, in supplying to its agents and

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 199

schools, on various foreign stations, copies of the Holy Scrip- HOME.

tares in the several dialects of the peoi)le amono; whom they „ —

1 1 „ 1 i o J C^j XIII.

are placed. _

This was not the first instance in which a collective hody of ^^^'^'
Christians had united in bearing testimony to the character
and usefulness of the Society. The Calvinistic Methodists in
Wales, and several Presbyteries, or Synods, in Scotland, had
also made communications of a similar spirit ; but the above,
as presented by a Deputation appointed for the purpose in the
name of a whole religious community, could not fail to be
encouraging and gratifying to the Directors of the Society,
and was accordingly distinctly and respectfully acknowledged
on their behalf by the President.*

The supply of Scriptures to emigrants and convicts has
been at different times adverted to, as engaging the attention
of the Society. Some grants for the latter class were now
made, under peculiarly interesting circumstances, to C. A.
Browning, Esq., M.D., a gentleman who, as medical officer,
had repeatedly been in charge of convict ships, and whose
labours, conducted with the most unremitting zeal, appear to
have been crowned with extraordinary success, as is strikingly
shown in a volume published at the time, entitled, " England's
Exiles." t

We ought to have noticed somewhat earlier, the gratifying Patronage

fact that the Bible Society had, through the medium of one of "t ^^^

. Majesty

its Auxiliaries, received the sanction and countenance of the the Queen,

highest authority in the realm; Her Majesty, Queen Victoria, p'j.Jijce'^^^*^

having graciously allowed herself to be enrolled as Patroness Consort.

of the Ladies' Windsor Bible Society, and thus associated

her name with a cause which her Illustrious Father, from

the earliest period, had so cordially supported. About this

time, His Royal Highness the Prince Consort also constituted

himself a Life Governor of the Parent Society, by a direct

and liberal contribution to its funds.

* For the address of the Deputation on tliis occasion, see Thirt3'-ninth
Report, 1843, p. clviii ; where also is found the President's reply.

t Dr. Browning also published another volume on the same subject
entitled " The Convict Ship."

200 HISTORY OF THE

HOME It is pleasing to add, further, that, in the summer of the

Cii.Xlll. yefir 1843, His Majesty the King of Prussia became a direct
~ contributor to the funds of the Society by a donation of £100,
and a subsequent yearly Subscriber of £.25, in consideration,
o^r Pmssii '"^^ ^^ stated in the note of the Prussian Am'bassador annonncing"
also, Pa- the same, of the " high regard entertained by His Majesty, of
Society. ^^^^ noble principles and Christian object of the Society." Plis
Majesty, when on a visit to this country a few months pre-
viously, had very graciously received a Deputation, consisting
of the noble President, and several distinguished friends of the
Society, who waited upon him to present an Address to ex-
press the " deference entertained by 'them towards H is Ma-
jesty as the first Protestant monarch of continental Europe,
and their heartfelt gratitude for the constant favour and
protection with which the Institution had been honoured by
His Majesty and his illustrious predecessor."
Fortieth We now reach the fortieth year of the Society's history,

year of the jj-jstead of enterino; into the details of it, which, though showino;

Society s » > ' ^ o

history. an undiminished amount of liberality and sussessful labour, so
far as concerns the domestic proceedings, present but little of
novel or very prominent interest ; it may not be inappropriate
to introduce, in this place, some reflections which were sug-
gested at the time by the retrospect of this lengthened and
important period of the Society's labours, and which were
embodied in the Annual Report of that year.*
The Report thus commences : —
Reflections " ^^ ^^ written, * Thou slialt remember all the way which
on the po- the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness.'
prospects The Committee are reminded of these words, on presenting,
ot the yo- jjg ^i^Qj j-jQ-^ ^Q^ ^i^Q Fortieth Annual Report of the Society,
this period. They gratefully call to mind the goodness of God to them,
and to their predecessors in office ; they earnestly invite the
friends of the Society at large to remember all the way by
which it has been led. How small in its outset ! how rapid
and vigorous in its growth ! how limited in its early operations!
how wide the field over which those operations are now dif-
fused ! It set out with the simple design of ' encouraging a

* See Fortieth Report.

BlUTISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 201

Avicler circulation of the Holy Scriptures;' it has already HOME,
directly distributed nearly sixteen millions of copies ; and it q^^ ^ui
has aided in the distribution of above ten millions more, in —
various languages and dialects, and in almost every part of
the world. The Society has had its trials : it has doubtless
needed them : it may be, it has become wiser by them. It has
witnessed many changes among its constituents, and in the
state of things around ; but abiding still by its original prin-
ciples, it has steadily pursued its course ; and the position which
it now occupies, after forty years, is such as must awaken the
liveliest joy, and should lead, on the part of all its supporters,
to the most devout and humble thanksgiving to God.

In the conclusion of the Report the subject is resumed: —

" It is a day of solemn 'remembrance;' and they would dwell
for a few moments further on the retrospect and the results of the
last forty years. It is an unquestionable, and, surely, an im-
portant fact, that, during that period, more copies of the written
word of God have been published and circulated than in any
equal period since the world began ; more, perhaps, than in all
former periods put together. It is not in one country alone, or
in any one portion of the globe ; it is not in one language only,
or but in few : in addition to the versions previously existing,
the Bible has been translated into many languages which, forty
years ago, had not been heard of; and its circulation has
penetrated into countries, the very names of which were, at
that time, scarcely known.

" When the Society, forty years ago, entered on its labours,
the religious aspect of Europe, and of the world, was not what
it now is. Controversies, which had at one time riven the
Avhole fabric of Christendom, were at rest ; and Christianity
itself had to struggle only with its common foe, at that
time assailing it under the form of a disguised or rampant in-
fidelity.

" But the scene is now changed : a conflict has arisen
within the precincts of the Christian Church itself; and
questions that had slept for ages — questions of momentous in-
terest— are re-agitated: claims, long held in al)eyance, are
once more pressed, Avith startling importunity and boldness.
The tide of ancient controversy sets in afresh ; the wave rises

Ch.XIII.

202 HISTORY OF THE

HOME, and Spreads, SO as to threaten the most distant shores : symp-
toms, in short, are seen around us, far and wide, of a gathering-
storm.

" Is it not worthy of notice, that, long before the present
signs appeared in the heavens, and while the Churches of
Christ were enjoying a comparative repose. Societies should
have been instituted, — which, perhaps, could not have been
formed now, — through whose agency those writings, on the
authority of which the final issue of the present conflict must
turn, have been gaining a silent but unexampled dispersion
among the nations ? That book, which must form the only
infallil)lc standard of appeal, is now found in the hands of in-
numerable multitudes. May it not have been for this very
purpose — in merciful preparation for this very hour — that
Bible Societies were established, and that their task has been,
by God's help, so effectually fulfilled ?

" Surely we must regard it as a token of special favour to
Britain, that nowhere are the 'lively oracles' better known —
nowhere has there been a wader delivery of the volume of in-
spiration, than within her borders. Among the poor, as well
as among the rich ; in the rural districts, as well as in our
towns and cities ; in the schoolroom and in the cottage, the
Bible is a book j^ossessed; by many, very many, it is a book
beloved; and, on all questions of religious interest, it will be,
as it ought to be, the book appealed to. Let, then, the hour of
trial and of conflict come, if so it shall please the all-wise God
to order it ; let the war of principles rise to whatever height it
may, the friends of the Bible must not yield to fear. Trusting
in the name of the Lord, they may, with more than calm
submission, with unwavering confidence, and even with joyful
hope, await the result.

" The Bible is the book of God, suited to all nations, and
addressed to all. It is the beacon of salvation to the tempest-
tossed Church, and, in the season of repose, its counsellor.
To myriads of solitary travellers it is the lamp of life : it
cheers the disconsolate, it guides the perplexed, it directs the
guilty to the cross of Christ, it tells of heaven to the dying.
In a word, wherever it is accompanied by the blessing of the
Holy Spirit, * it is the power of God unto sahation to c\ery

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 203

one that believeth.' This should be enough for us; more HOME,
than enough to animate our zeal, to qviicken our prayers, to ch. XIII.
keep alive within us a quenchless, glowing charity. For wiiat
are the results ? Souls are saved from death ; Jesus the
Mediator is magnified ; the love of the Spirit is revealed ; and
' Glory to God in the highest' becomes the theme of an ever-
lasting sono;."

1844.

204 IIISTOUY OF Til 10

1845.

CHAPTER XIV.

EFFORTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE EDUCATIONAL MOVE-
MENT ; AND THE SYSTEM OF COLPORTAGE.

1845—1848.

Grant of Scriptures in furtherance of Popular Education — Special
find — Si/stem of Colportarje commenced in this country — Success
in 3Iidland Counties a7id in Wales — Death of Rev. J. Pratt —
Extraordinary movement in the sale of Scriptures in Lanca-
shire— Success of Colportage in Ireland — Death of Bishop
Shirley, Lord Momitsandford, Earl of Harrowhy, and Rev.
Dr. Dealtry — Scriptures disposed of by Colportage.

HOME. In consequence of the impulse given about this time to the
Ch IZlV cause of education by various public measures then in pro-
gress or projected, it had been thought right, towards the close
of the Society's preceding year, to set apart a sum of £5000 for
Giant ia ^]^q supply of such scliools as mio-ht be supposed to have been

connection iji , n . ..^pi

with the rounded as the result or the re-agitation or the question,
c-vtloiial One of the first measures of the year (1845) was to issue a
movement, circular, containing regulations for the appropriation of this
sum of £5000, which was then described as intended "to aid,
by a gratuitous supply of Bibles and Testaments, the efforts
then making for the extension of education among the desti-
tute poor, in Day or Sunday Schools throughout the United
Kingdom."*

According to these regulations the grants were to be restricted
to schools established on, or after the 1st of January 1843 ;
the number of books were not to exceed one half the average
number of children attending the school, and were to be taken
as school stock, i.e. not to be used out of school : the books
supplied were to be a 12mo Bible, and a 12mo Testament.
In the course of the year, applications were received from

* "Monthly Extracts," Muvcli, 1845.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 205

688 schools, which were supplied with 31,758 copies. Many HOME,
of the communications on the subject were very touching, and q^ ~xiV
brought to light a destitution with regard to schools esta- —
blished prior to 1843, which seemed to demand immediate con-
sideration. With a view, therefore, to the benefit of schools tions^"^'^'^'
and the poor generally, another regulation, already alluded
to,* was then adopted, that of selling the Nonpareil Bible at ten
pence, and the Brevier Testament at four pence.

In carrying out the above measures, the attention of the So-
ciety w^as drawn to another class of schools, viz. those in the
Union Workhouses throughout the kingdom, and it was
determined to embrace them also within the terms of the grant.
A communication was opened with the Poor-Law Commis-
sioners at Somerset House, and a circular was then addressed
to the respective Clerks of the Boards of Guardians, from whom
259 answers were received, some few, with thanks, declining
the proffered aid, from its not being needed; the rest grate-
fully availing themselves of the offer. 7593 copies were issued.

The fund for the gratuitous supply of schools was afterwards
increased by subsequent grants, till at length it amounted, in
1854, to £6500. The total number of copies supplied from
this special fund, up to that time, amounted to 139,907, which
had been distributed among 2800 schools.

The following pleasing instances of zeal and liberality on
the part of the Auxiliaries of the Society, took place during the
present year.

At a conference of the offi(;ers and other friends of the Special

Southwark Auxiliary and its Associations, with a view to revive the Souih-

and stimulate the interest on behalf of the Society, which 7,!^^^ ^"^"

•^ iliary.

appeared somewhat declining, the employment of a juvenile

agency for the purpose was suggested. The plan adopted on
this occasion, how it originated, and what were its results,
are thus detailed in a letter of the Secretary: —

"The want of success in some of our Associations, and
symptoms of declining zeal in others, induced our Auxiliary
Committee recently to invite the officers of our Associations
and the ministers of our district, to meet them in friendly con-
ference. About fifty gentlemen took tea together, and several
* See pag-e lU?.

1!345.

206 HISTORY OF THE

HOME, valuable suggestions were offered. It was found necessary to
Cn. XIV. '"adjourn the ^Meeting; and at the second conference the sug-
gestion Avas made which led to our successful employment of a
juvenile agency.

"It had been remarked that the founders of our Auxiliary
had nearly all departed this life, or were advancing to that
good old age when active service could not much longer be
expected from them: and that those who, from time to time,
liad joined our ranks, and borne their share of service in our
Associations, were rendered, in many cases, by physical
infirmity or increased occupation, less efficient than formerly ;
and it became matter of inquiry. How can we interest the
young ? How induce the children of oui- families to feel, early
in life, the pleasure of connection with the Bible Society, so
that in due time, in the arrangements of God's gracious provi-
dence, * instead of the fathers may come up the children?'

"The answer came from one of oui- Committee — Employ our
children in the collection of a 'Christmas and Xew-Year's
Offering.'

"The suggestion was heartily embraced by others; and a
Sub-Committee was appointed to consider the matter, and make
arrangements for carrying out the proposed plan.

"Under their direction, an 'Address to Parents and Others"
was prepared, as well as an 'Address to Children and Young
Persons ;' and a card, with two beautiful little engravings at
the top, was furnished for our Juvenile Collectors.

"The pictures were striking contrasts. On the one side was
represented the Bible as it was seen in 1540, when Bibles were
chained in St. Paul's Cathedral— the chained Bible, and the
group of anxious listeners surrounding the oiie reader ; and on
the other side the Bible in 1844 — the open Bible, free and
unchained : the Bible in the hands of a Christian family, the
father and his children, each with a book, and the mother with
her infant delightedly and devotionally listening while her
husband reads. At the foot of the engraving is the following
memorandum : —

" ' In 1540, in the reign of Henry VIII., six Bibles were
chained in St. Paul's Cathedral, that the people of London
might read the Holy Scriptures ; but during the past vear

BKITISII ANT) FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 207

tliG British and Foreign Bible Soeicty issued, from its various HOME.
Depositories, 9-14,000 copies.' Cu. XIV.

"Of the addresses, printed in a very cheap form, about ~
18,000 were issued, and about 3000 cards were used: the
result of the collection, as stated, was £500."

Wales continued to distinguish itself in the cause of the Liberal
Bible Society. The county of Anglesea sent this year £768 Slor
in free contributions. How a county so limited in extent, so Anglesea.
scanty in population, and comparatively poor in resources,
should send to the Bible Society a sum exceeding that which
is sent by some English counties which are more than double
in extent, quadruple in population, and incomparably more
abundant in resources, is thus explained and accounted for by
the Society's Agent for Wales : —

"The island is covered with Branch Societies, now eleven
in number, and every parish is included within the sphere
of one or other of these Branches. For the purpose of col-
lecting and distributing the Scriptures, these are sub-divided
into moderately-sized districts, and I believe it can be said
with truth, that all the districts were supplied with collec-
tors, and actually visited during the past month. Taking
advantage of the information given, and the good feeling
excited at the Public Meetings, the collectors went out forth-
Avith, provided with Collecting-books, Reports, &c.; and although
the work in some districts was laborious, yet the cheerfulness
of the people, and their willingness to contribute according
to their ability, amply compensated for the toil endured.
Perhaps there is no other county in Great Britain where the
number of contributors bears so good a proportion to the
total population. The local Reports contain the names of moi*e
than four hundred persons who subscribe sums between ten
shillings and two pounds per annum. The noble President,
the Marquis of Anglesea, contributes ten gumeas every year..
But, after all, the strength of the Society consists not in the ■
feiu loho give much, hut in the many tvho give a little. The
books of the collectors furnish the names of many thousands
of persons who contribute sums varying from one to ten shil-
lings ; and you would be astonished, as well as delighted, to
see the names of servants, labourers, and poor children, as

208

IIISTOIIY OF THE

HOME.
Ch. XIV,

18-15.

System of
colportage
coui-
menced.

contributors of sums inicler one sliilling. Yes, tlie cliiklreivs
pence, and the widow's mite find a record in the Collecting-
books of Anglescci."

An experiment was made about this time in Wolverhamp-
ton and its neighbourhood, including also Birmingham, witli
the view of effecting a wider circulation of the Scriptures in
the manufocturing and mining districts. Populous districts
were exploi'ed, a considerable number of Meetings held, and
several new Associations formed, in parts of Staffordshire,
Worcestershire, and Warwickshire. Above 5600 copies passed
into the hands of tlie people through the direct agency em-
ploved, and a number of depots were established for the more
permanent supply of the different neighbourhoods.

It was not thought desirable to continue the experiment
further, as, by a change in the districts and arrangements of Mr.
Bourne, one of the Society's regular Domestic Agents, he was
enabled to bend his attention more fully to this important object.

The system of colportage, or the sale of the Scriptures by
means of licensed hawkers, expressly engaged for the purpose,
— a system which had long been successfully pursued
in foreign countries, especially in France — was now being
introduced into several parts of the kingdom, at that
time rather as an experiment; but it has since been
carried out, with much benefit, to a greater extent. After
what has been said of Wales, it may excite astonishment, that
when the Auxiliary system had been in general operation there
for above thirty years — when the distribution had already been
made of eleven million of copies of the Holy Scriptures in
the English and Welsh languages, irrespective of the issues of
other Societies — that part of the kingdom should have fur-
nished one of the first instances of the necessity of this new
mode of operation. Yet in the county of Radnor, in one of
the five districts into which the county was divided, a Col-
porteur sold, in forty-six days, in the eight parishes com-
prised in the district, 1085 Bibles and Testaments, among a
rural population of 5804 persons.

It is, however, right, as it is most gratifying, to state that such
demands and sales in the Principality have their solution
now, at least in part, in the love of the Scriptures so strikingly

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 209

manifest among the people, rather than in extreme destitution HOME,
of copies of the inspired volume. Every person there, young ^-^ ~x\v
and old, appears eager to possess the sacred treasure. It was —
this eagerness for the Scriptures in Wales which led to the
formation of the Society ; and the ample supplies furnished
year after year have not been without fruit. The possession
and use of the Scriptures have, under the Divine blessing, re-
acted on the original feeling of the population, and awakened
it to a still higher appreciation of the word of truth. This
explanation is, as we have said, just and well founded, to a
great extent ; but it must also be added, that in some districts
the demand for Bibles has arisen from the really scanty degree
in which they were possessed. In some counties, as in Rad-
norshire, the scattered state of the population had placed them
very much beyond reach of the ordinary mode of supph^;
and in the mining districts, the rapid increase, and the variable
character of the masses drawn together from all parts, would
occasion a necessity of a distinct and special kind.

The north of Devon was brought forward at the time, Dcvou.
as furnishing another instance of the need of such efforts.
On a close investigation of the subject, and without including
any parish containing less than 200 inhabitants, it appeared
that 123 parishes, embracing an aggregate population of
104,258, were untouched by the operations of the Bible
Society. Other cases, bearing on the same point, were
discovered in Lancashire, Yorkshire, Somersetshire, and
Herefordshire, and to all those, the experiment of colportage
was applied.

Among other valuable friends, the loss of whom, this year. Death of
the Society had to deplore, the name of the Rev. Josiah Pratt p^Jjj' '
deserves special notice, for reasons which the following extracts
from the tribute to his memory, adopted on the occasion by
the Committee, will serve to show: —

"The Committee cannot receive intelligence of the death j[cmorial.
of the late Rev. Josiah Pratt, without making some record of
the obligations under which the Society was laid by him, in
the earlier stages of its existence, both in the way of active
service and valuable counsel. Of the latter, the beneficial
effects have been felt during a period of forty years ; and will
P

1843.

210 HISTORY OF TTTE

HOME, continue to be felt, as long as the Society shall maintain its

Cii.'xiV. original constitution and principles.

— "For a few weeks after the formation of the Society, Mr.

Pratt held the office of Secretary, in conjunction with the late
Rev. Joseph Hughes. This appointment was accepted by
him, principally on the suggestion of the late Rev. John
Owen, who strongly advised that with Mr. Hughes, a clergy-
man of the Church of England should be associated, and the
Society be thus made to bear a truly Catholic impress.
From this office, finding it to be incompatible with his engage-
ments as Secretary of the Church Missionary Society, he
soon retired ; when Mr. Owen himself was happily prevailed
upon to become his successor.

"To the judicious counsels of Mr. Pratt the Society owes
the present constitution of its Committee : a constitution, under
which, while room is left for the admission of six foreigners,
of the remaining thirty members, fifteen are required to be
members of the Established Church, and fifteen members of
other denominations of Christians. And the Committee think
they may ask, when there has ever existed a more united or
a more harmoniously-working Executive. It may be fear-
lessly said, that experience has proved the wisdom of the
arrangement ; and of that arrangement the Committee would
say, Esto perpetua !

" If, in later years, Mr. Pratt took a less active part in
the Society's affairs, the Committee knew that it was not
from the want of continued interest in them. Affection,
and warm affection too, was shown to the Society, in the
support and countenance which he afforded to it in various
localities, and more particularly in connection with the City-of-
London Auxiliary.

"The Society is not a little indebted to Mr. Pratt, for the
prominent share which he always allotted to it in the pages
of the Missionary Register, a valuable monthly periodical,
originated, and, till of late, entirely conducted by himself.
Intelligence of the Society's proceedings was thus widely,
and at the same time gratuitously, circulated through the
kingdom, and even beyond its limits ; while the selection of
matter was judicious and happy."

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 211

The Rev. H. A Browne, of Toft-Nowton, who had for many HOME,
years proved himself an acceiDtable gratuitous visitor in every ^^ ^iv
part of the kingdom, was this year appointed as a regular —
Agent, to take charge of a district, vacant by the illness, and ^^^^'
subsequent death, of W. Brackenbury, Esq.* The district Appoint-
included the counties of Norfolk, Northampton, York, Derby, Sev.^H. A.
Cambridge, and Suffolk. Browue;

The Rev. P. Kent was also engaged, on a salary, as a aud Rev.
general visitor, whose services should be available wherever ^- ^^^*'-
required. He afterwards became a regular Agent of the
Society.

A very remarkable movement arose this year, 1845,(extendino-
also to the following year) in regard to the distribution of the
Scriptures at home. It cannot be better described than in
the language of the Report for 1846, where the event is thus
referred to and recorded.

" It has often been the privilege of the Committee to meet Extraor-
their friends, assembled at their Annual Meetinf, with the ^^^^^y
language of congratulation. But never had they greater in theVe-
reason to do so than at present ; for never, they venture to 'V^°^ ^°}'
think, were there more evident tokens of the Divine blessing tures.
resting on the labours of the Institution. The simple object
of the Society being to circulate more widely the Holy Scrip-
tures, is there not great cause for joy and praise in the fact
that nearly one million and a half copies have been added to
the distributions of former years, being nearly half a million
more than had been issued in any previous year of the So-
ciety's history ? This greatly enlarged distribution has been,
though not exclusively, yet chiefly, at home, and under cir-
cumstances so remarkable, as to induce the Committee to
depart from their ordinary course, and refer to it at once.

" It has been in the North of England, and more especially
in Manchester and the neighbourhood, that the extraordinary
demand for the Scriptures has sprung up.

" In the month of September last, some friends visiting Sales in
Blackpool, a small watering-place on the coast of Lancashire, I^ancaslure,

* See Report for 1843. Mr. Brackenbury had been a Domestic Ag-ent
of the Society for seventeen years. He was the second gentleman so
appointed.

1846.

212 HISTORY OF THE

HOME, having had their attention awakened to the spiritual wants of
Ch.^IV ^^^® neighbourhood, commenced a sale of the Sacred Scrip-
tures, and afterwards formed a Bible Association : in a few
months above 1800 copies Avere circulated in that limited
district. This movement was greatly encouraged by the
zealous co-operation of a gentleman from Manchester, who
returned home with his mind much set on attempting a wider
dissemination of the Scriptures among the immense population
by which he there saw himself surrounded. After conference
and prayer with a few pious friends, it was resolved to make
the experiment of offering the Scriptures for sale among
the work-people of the numerous mills and factories, and
wherever an open door was found. The agents chiefly
employed were the superintendents and teachers and the elder
scholars of Sunday Schools, together with others whose heai'ts
the Lord inclined to take part in the work. Unexampled suc-
cess attended the effort ; wilUng purchasers presented them-
selves in every direction. The issues of the Auxihary, which
had been for many years on an average about 5000 copies
a year, which afterwards, for five years, increased to 10,000,
and which last year amounted to 15,000 (the largest number
issued in a single year by any Auxiliary in the kingdom),
suddenly mounted up to 20,000 in one month — the month of
November last; and in the six months, ending the 31st of
March, extended to 80,682 copies, with a large distribution
still going on.*

" The attention of the Auxihary Society at Manchester was
quickly drawn to this movement; and it is but justice to its
excellent Committee and officers to say, that it received from
the first every encouragement in their power ; and the Ladies'
Associations too, so far from viewing it with jealousy, though
it might seem to trench a little on their proper sphere of labour,
have given it their cheerful countenance, and in some instances
their valuable personal co-operation.

" This movement is of too recent a date to allow of much
being at present recorded of its results : one effect of it, how-
ever, which your Committee cannot but notice with pleasure,
has been to draw forth very liberal contributions in furtherance
* In the course of tlie year it reached to 90,711 copies.

Cu. XIV.
18-16.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 213

of this work, both at Mancliester and elsewhere. At Man- HOME.
Chester, donations and increased subscriptions were promptly
oftered, more than sufficient to allay any apprehension of
injury to the general funds of the Society ; and one venerable
friend hastened to present his contribution, under circum-
stances which your Committee pause a moment to notice. It
was made through the medium of the Bishop of Chester,
Dr. Sumner, (now Archbishop of Canterbury,) accompanied
with the following letter from his lordship : —

*I enclose an order for £500 to be entered as follows: —
" An Octogenarian Friend, by the Bishop of Chester. To the
Manchester Bible Society, £500."

' This is intended to support the Society in its present
important doings, and is one proof of the light in which the
crisis is viewed by observers. How thankful I am to belong
to a Society so honoured ! How thankful to have such con-
fidence in the Divine word, that I can look upon the present
movement with unmixed and unfeigned gratification!'

The venerable friend above alluded to was the Rev. Thomas
Gisborne, Prebendary of Durham, whose unwavering attach-
ment to the Bible Society from its formation, and whose zeal on
its behalf, declined not with advancing years.

It is worthy of remark, that, partly simultaneously with
the movement in Manchester, partly in consequence of it, a
very enlarged demand for the Scriptures sprang up in many
other places in the country, as at Liverpool, Birmingham,
Huddersfield, Halifax, Bristol,* and elsewhere. Our colonies
also united in the cry for larger supplies ; so that the most
strenuous efforts were required, in the printing and binding-
departments, to meet the orders that flowed in from every
(quarter : and after all it was found absolutely necessary, in
many instances, to tax the patience of the Society's urgent
friends. Much regret was felt that there should have been
the slightest delay or disappointment ; but Avho could be sorry
for the cause ? What can be more delightful than the thought,
that with all the facilities enjoyed in the present day — and by

* At Bristol the issues of the year amounted to 38,000 copies ; an
amount equalling, ifnot exceeding-, those of Mancliester, if the extent of the
population in each place be taken into account. — Report 1847, p. clxii.

1846.

214 HISTORY OF THE

HOME, none more than the Bible Society — of multiplying copies of the
Cu.TlV. Sacred Book, the utmost exertions were insufficient to keep
pace with the rapid, wide-spread, unprecedented demand which
had arisen ?

The subject is again alluded to in the conclusion of the same
Report : —

"The Committee here close their review of one of the
most remarkable years in the Society's history; remark-
able, chiefly, for the fact so repeatedly alluded to in the
Report — the extraordinary impulse which, during the year,
has been given to the circulation of the Sacred Volume, and
especially at home. It would not be easy to trace this fact to
any particular cause, nor does it seem needful so to do.
Much, doubtless, may be ascribed to the low prices at which
the Scriptures may now be obtained, in an attractive and port-
able form ; something also may be attributed to the measure
which the Committee adopted last year, of reducing still further
the price of a Bible and New Testament for the use of schools
and the poor, a large part of the increased demand having
been for these books ; and your Committee also have reason
to believe, that very generally, of late, the friends of the So-
ciety have been quickened to a livelier sense of its importance;
the conviction gaining strength on every hand, that the
Bible is the book for the age, pre-eminently adapted and
required to meet the evils and exigencies of the times in which
we live ; and to this, probably, may be referred, in great part,
the gradual and diffused increase in the free contributions to
the Society, as well as its rapid sales.

"But whatever may be the secondary causes which present
themselves In accounting for the late extensive issues, your
Committee repeat it as their conviction, that the movement
nuist be ultimately referred to an 'influence from above:' 'the
thing is of the Lord.' Is it presumptuous to conclude that the
providence of God is more immediately occupied in all that
relates to His own written word — that word which is the
mirror of His own holy and glorious character, the transcript
of His will, the revelation of His love in Christ Jesus, and the
chief instrument of His grace to fallen man ? And must it not
be accepted as a special mark of the Divine interposition, when

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 215

that word is made easily accessible, and when it comes into the HOME,
actual possession of large bodies of people ? There are, indeed, ci,^jv
who contend for a restricted circulation of the Holy Scrip- —
tures — who seem afraid to let the Bible speak for itself. That
such persons should look with distrust on the advance of the
Bible Society — that they should deprecate, and even oppose,
its endeavours — need not excite our surprise ; but with such
fears and misgivings your Committee have no sympathy : they
rejoice to administer the affairs of a Society that treats the
Bible as the common right of all mankind ; and, in regard to
its later successes, they feel assured that you will join them
in reiterating the sentiment, already quoted, of their much-
revered friend, 'How thankful am I to have such confidence
in the Divine word, that I can look upon the present movement*
with unmixed and unfeigned gratification !'

"And let us not fail to notice, that it is in our own beloved
country — including Ireland, and the colonies and dependencies
of Britain — that the most marked distribution of the Scrip-
tures has taken place. Amidst so much that is dark and
lowering aroinid us, is it not a token for good, that to us should
be 'committed' so largely 'the Oracles of God?' If this was
the chief 'advantage' of the Jew of old, must it not be equally
an advantage among us ? The day may be hastening on, when
the extensive possession of the Bible by the people of this
realm, which now forms its distinguishing privilege, shall
become its principal safeguard and blessing; a standard set
up by the Spirit, 'when the enemy shall come in like a
Hood.' But, be that as it may, is it not delightful to know,
that at this hour so many of our fellow-citizens and fellow-
subjects, of all ranks, and of all ages— in the cottage, as well
as in the splendid mansion — in the factory, the workshop, and
the field— have the opportunity of searching for themselves
the Divine records of truth, of drawing water for themselves
from the wells of salvation ?"

It will be observed, that in the above extract Ireland is Diffusion
particularly referred to, as having participated in the remark- of Scrip-
able movement of the year. The following are the circum- Ireland,
stances which called for, and led to a larger amount of aid
than usual from the Society.

1846.

216 HISTORY OF THE

HOME. The Hibernian Bible Society, having resolved to make the
Cii.'xiV. experiment of circulating the Scriptures more widely in that
country by means of Colporteurs ; to encourage the attempt,
3000 Bibles and 3000 Testaments were placed at the disposal
of that Society, to which number were afterwards added 30,500
copies more. It was gratifying to hear, that, in this Avay, 25,000
volumes were sold in a short time, in eighty-three districts,
situate in thirty-one comities. The number of Colporteurs
employed was about eighty. One of these humble, useful agents
— a day-labourer — sold upwards of 1400 copies in some of the
darkest districts in the land.

For the same purposes as above, 2000 copies were granted
to the Irish Society of London.

The Sunday School Society for Ireland was, this year, one
of the largest claimants of the Society's bounty. The first
application was for 27,000 Bibles and Testaments. These
proving insufficient to meet the increasing demand, an addition
was soon after made to them of 1500 copies. The whole
stock being exhausted earlier than usual, the Society was
compelled to anticipate the period of its annual application,
and, before the year closed, it presented itself again, asking
this time for 39,500 volumes, which were cheerfully granted.
Thus 68,000 copies of the Scriptures were, in the coiirse of a
single year, supplied to the Sunday Schools of Ireland. This
Society had on its list, at that time, 2960 schools, containing
244,000 scholars, and 22,900 gratuitous teachers.

Five other Irish Societies also received grants this year,
varying from 500 to 1250 copies each.

The distribution of the Holy Scriptures was also now going
on largely in our own metropolis. In proof that, lavish as some
might deem it, the supply was not beyond the demand of ever
fresh-discovered wants, a grant was called for this year of
3200 Testaments with Psalms, that being the number of
families, after all that had been previously done, which the
Agents of the City Mission had actually found at that time
entirely destitute of the Sacred Scriptures, within the limits
of the City of Westminster.

While the Society, during the two following years, was dili-
gently and prosperously pursuing its course, the hand of death

inUTISH AND FOREIGlSr BIBLE SOCIETY. 217

was at work, silently stealing away some of its most valuable HOME.

friends and active coadjutors. In the former year died two of Cn.^lV.

the Vice-Presidents, the newly-appointed Bishop of Sodor —

and Man, Dr. Shirley, and Lord Mountsandford ; and two of

the oldest members of the Committee, Josiah Roberts, and J?^^*^^ °^

^ Bishop

Samuel Mills, Esqs. To the latter gentleman belongs the Shirley,
honour of having prepared an outline of the plan of the others :
Society ; and to the service he rendered in laying the foun-
dation of the Institution, is to be added that of a judicious and
useful co-operation in the promotion of its interests and the
management of its concerns. Mr. Mills was appointed on ^y. Mills
the first Committee, and continued to serve each succeeding ^^q. ;
year, without a single intermission, having, in this capacity,
nearly completed a period of forty-three years. In the same
year also died Joseph John Gurney, Esq., a leading member J- J. Gur-
of the body of Friends, who, though not officially connected ^^^' ^^' '
with the Parent Bible Society, had rendered it very essential
service, in the extensive circle in which he moved, and of
which he was so bright an ornament.

In the succeeding year died two more of the Society's ho- The Earl of
noured Patrons, the Earl of Harrowby, and the Rev. Dr. H^rrowby;
Deal try. Archdeacon of Surrey ; and also three members of the
Committee, Dr. Richardson, Mr. Edelman, and Mr. Scrivens.

On occasion of the decease of Dr. Dealtry, the following Dr,
memorial was adopted by the Committee, which pays a well-
deserved tribute to his memory as one of the warmest pro-
moters, and ablest defenders of the Society, at a period when
such services were peculiarly valuable : —

"Among the early friends of the Society, few have a higher Memorial,
claim to grateful and affectionate remembrance than the late
Rev. William Dealtry, D.D., of Trinity College, Cambridge,
Archdeacon of Surrey, and Rector of Clapham. He began
his course in days when the simple object of the Society, and
its no less simple constitution, needed able defenders.

"To many of the present day it may seem a thing
incredible, that, among Protestants, fears should ever have
been entertained and expressed as to the circulation of the
Scriptures without note or comment; — not quitp so incredible
perhaps, yet nearly so, that difficulties should have been raised

Ch. XIV

1847.

218 HISTORY OF THE

HOME, respecting the lawfulness of co-operation between parties who,
~ while dift'ering on other important points, were yet of one
mind as to the supreme authority of the Scriptures, and
actuated by one single desire to promote their wider circu-
lation. Such, nevertheless, having been the fact, it is pro-
portionably difficult, now, to estimate the value of those
services which w^ere rendered by the late Dr. Dealtry, in
vindicating the object and the plans which the Society pur-
His able Sued. Often did he, with a persuasive eloquence, address the

advocacy assembled friends of the Society, whether in Cambridge, in
in the cause , , . , , i r> t i i i i •

of the the metropolis, or elsewhere ; and oiten, too, did he draw Ins

Society. pgj-j^ r^^^^ p^^^ forth in print convincing arguments on the So-
ciety's behalf. Both his speeches and his writings were always
forcible, exhibiting, in happy combination, all the marks of an
amiable disposition, united to a vigorous and manly intellect ;
for while contending for what he believed to be the truth,
his spirit never became embittered. He was always felt and
acknowledged to be an honourable opponent. But if in argu-
ment and discussion he could grapple with some of the master
spirits of the age, he more especially loved the peaceful walks
of the Society ; and in one such department, the value of a
little piece which he wrote will long be appreciated. It is en-
titled, " Advantages of distributing the Holy Scriptures among
the poorer orders of Society, chiefly by their owai agency."

" When Bible Associations were first introduced, there were
those, perhaps, who expected but little from them ; but Dr.
Dealtry had the sagacity to foresee their great utility, and he
wrote as follows: —

" ' To complete the system which has commenced, and been
conducted with such happy results, no measure seems to have
occurred of such reasonable promise as Bible Associations.
The contributors to the Parent Institution, and to its Aux-
iliaries and Branches in different parts of the country, consist
in general of that class of persons who are somewhat elevated
in the scale of society. It is the object of Bible Associations
to bring into action also the poorer classes ; to collect subscrip-
tions from that large body of the people who are miable to
give much, and yet are not unwilling to give a little. If the
immber of contributors be great, tlie accumulation even of

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 219

small sums will not bo contemptible; and it may be presumed HOME,
that most persons, who are not absolutely in the lowest walks c^'xiy
of life, can afford a subscription of a penny a week.' —

"It need not be said how abundantly these anticipations
were realized. Hundreds of thousands of Bibles and Testa-
ments have been dispensed among the poor, upon a plan long-
since proved to be excellent, if not the best, namely, by the
agency of the poor themselves, and by their own contributions.
And who shall tell the amount, even of pecuniary advantage,
derived to the Society from these small but innumerable
tributary streams ?"

The system of colportage having been now for some time
in operation, a report was made by the agents of the results ;
when it appeared, from the information received from the four
districts in which this mode of distribution had been adopted,
that the number of Bibles and Testaments thus disposed of
within three years amounted to 79,224,

220

HISTORY OF THE

CHAPTER XV.

REVOLUTIONS ON THE CONTINENT, AND INCREASED
FACILITIES FOR INTRODUCTION OF THE SCRIFTURES.

1848—1849.'

Hevohiionary outhreahs in lialy, France, Avstria, 4^c. — Appeal
fur increased effort in relation to the Continent — Sjyecial Fund —
Resignation of Rev. J. Joweit, and appointment of Rev. T. W.
Meller in the Editorial Dejjartment — Est ahlishrnent of distinct
Agency for districts around Blanchester, and in other places —
Question of Prayer revived, and modification of 7'eading a
portion of the Sci'iptures adopted.

HOME.

1848.

Revolu-
tionary
uutbieak
ou the
Continent.

Increased
facility for
intro-
ducin<r the
Scriptures.

In the year 1848, as is well known, a political storm burst
over a large part of Europe. The extraordinary events, which
in ra})id succession then took place, encouraged the hope, among
the friends of the Bible, that an effectual door was opening
for the wider diffusion of its influence among many of the
continental nations, that had been heretofore too much closed
against it. This hope was not destined to be realized to its
full extent, but while it lasted, it became a stimulus to new and
strenuous efix)rts. And as the ordinary operations of the
Society were found sufficient to exhaust its existing resources,
it became needful to make a special appeal for aid to meet
this unlooked-for and promising emergency.

In the conclusion of the Society's Report for 1848, where the
extraordinary events then taking place on the Continent are
referred to, an intimation is given of the course which the
Committee might think it right to pursue, and of the claims
they would probably have to make on the further liberality and
bounty of the Society's friends. The passage is as follows: —

" You need not here be reminded — for the Report has already
alluded to the fact — that recent extraordinary events have
brought the Continent of Europe before us under a most

Ch. XV.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 221

unexpected aspect. It is not for your Committee to interpret HOME.

the mysterious movements of Divine Providence ; it is not for

them to forecast the character which these changes may assume,

or what shall be their ultimate results : but the hurricane of '^'"*'^"

political revolution has already swept away barriers, which

have for ages impeded the free circulation of the truth.

Assurances are conveyed to us from many quarters, that such

is the marvellous fact, and that a pathway is now before us

into districts, and provinces, and countries, which we have

hitherto in vain sought to enter; or where, having entered, we

have been embarrassed at every step.

"Your Committee are watching these events, with deep and
anxious emotion ; yet not altogether unresolved as to the course
which it becomes them to pursue. They do not think it
necessary to wait till the sea of agitation is calmed — till the
broken frame-work of society is reconstructed, and the world
is once more at rest. God has often sustained us in our work
amidst jarring elements: why should we not now at once go
forth, and, taking our stand among nations rocked to and fro
by the storm, fearlessly hold up before them the open volume
of inspired truth, with its decisions of immutable law, and with
its wondrous revelations of mercy — that the guilty, the trem-
bling, the perplexed — those who are grasping at power, and
those who are losing it, may be reasoned with of 'righteous-
ness, temperance, and judgment to come,' and be invited to
seek peace, consolation, and life in Christ Jesus ; that so,
amidst the wreck of things which are seen, and which are
temporal, men may learn to look with eagerness and hope to
those things which are not seen, and which are eternal.

" Should this embassy of peace and good willdraw largely on
the resources of your Society, — should e\en further exertion be
demanded for the replenishing and sustaining of its funds, — your
Committee will yield to no misgivings, well assured that jon
will bid them to advance. A solemn obligation is upon us —
self-imposed, but not the less real. It may be added, that at
the present moment the promptings of gratitude enforce the
dictates of duty. Britain, long favoured from on high, has
again been distinguished and honoured ; national thanksgivings
bear testimony to the Divine interposition and protection ; and

222

HISTORY OF THE

HOME.
Ch. XV.

1848.

Appeal for
special
effort at
this crisis.

if a national memorial be demanded to record our sense of
God's goodness, let the tribute of the Bible Society be found
in the enlarged contributions of its members."

The subject thus incidentally suggested was soon after more
directly and distinctly brought before the public by the following-
Appeal: —

" Reluctant as any Society may well be to come forward
with claims for increased su2:)port, at a period when there is
much distress prevailing, and when there are already innu-
merable appeals to the sympathies of the religious public, the
time may nevertheless have arrived, wdien all such feelings
must be repressed, and plain statements be put forth, showing
the need for such increased support. The Committee believe
that such a crisis has arrived in the history of the British and
Foreign Bible Society. In this belief they are strengthened
by the Committees of some of the Auxiliary Societies, who
have addressed them upon the subject, and urged the making
of an appeal, without loss of time, to the friends of the Society
at large.

" The present state of their funds will only allow the Com-
mittee to carry on the operations of the Society upon their
ordinary scale, while they are utterly inadequate to meet the
newly-discovered wants, and those newly-discovered oppor-
tunities for meeting those wants, which form the subject of the
following Appeal.

" The wonderful events which have taken place on the Con-
tinent of Europe during the last few months, have either
occasioned large openings for the introduction of the Scrip-
tures into quarters to which there was previously no access
at all ; or, in a no less striking manner, have increased the
facilities, in countries where openings had previously existed,
and where they had to some extent been improved. In
Austria and in Italy, for example, the liberty of the press has
been obtained, and it has been proved that the Scriptures may
be openly conveyed into those countries, and be openly sold,
as well as printed in them : and the Committee are full of the
best hope, that many, who have never had the Scriptures
before, will now receive them with thankfulness. They are
sure that they shall at least carry all the friends of the So-

imiTISII AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 223

ciety with tlicni in the twofold conviction, tliat for such HOME,
countries the Bible is indeed the Book most calculated to do ctirxv.
the inhabitants qood, in the largest and fullest sense of the —

1 J? J J?

word ; and that it is- our plainest duty to offer them the Book,
the opportunity being now given us of so doing.

"How long such opportunities may last, who can tell?
Everything seems to say, 'Work while it is called to-day ;'
while powers that have heretofore been opposed to the intro-
duction of the Scriptures are, for the present, in abeyance.

"If it be asked whether it be the special duty of this
country thus to aim at the introduction of the Scriptures into
such countries as those alluded to, the answer is plain ; and
it may well be said, in reply to such an inquiry, Ought not
the experience of the people of England to fill them with
confidence in the Book ? Must not the people of this country
confess to the largest obligations to the free course of the
Bible among themselves? And should not gratitude to the
Author of that Holy Volume, make them His willing and
forward servants in conveying it to other lands ?

" Are there, however, none in the countries themselves
to take up the work without our interference and help ? In
answer, it may again be asked, Can it be expected that the
Roman Catholic hierarchy or laity, between whom (with but
very few exceptions) and the friends of the Bible Society,
there exists a direct and insuperable difference of opinion on
the subject of the free use of the Sacred Volume by all manner
of persons — can it be expected that they will do the work ?
Again, it cannot be expected that those who bear the name of
Protestants, but who are too largely imbued with Neologian or
Rationalistic principles, will come forward. So that, with
facilities now afforded them for the first time of receiving the
Scriptures, the people must continue without them, unless
strangers shall step in and carry the boon to them.

*'In France and Germany, in which many opportunities for
disti'ibuting the Sacred Volume have long been enjoyed, some
remaining hindrances have now been swept away ; and it is
supposed that a fairer and larger field is open than was ever
before known. The cries for continued and increased aid on
the part of the fi'iends of the Bible are most importunate.

224

HISTORY OF THE

HOME.
Ch. XV.

1!!-I8.

Special
fund for
the Con-
tinent.

It is too well known, that in France, more particularly, an
unparalleled destrnction of property has taken place, and
in these losses all classes have shared, and among them the
most zealous supporters of religion, who are paralyzed in their
efforts, and can only turn an imploring eye to the friends of
religion in this and other countries to come to their succour.

" While there are these unwonted openings, it must be borne
in mind that not a single ordinary channel for the distribution
of the Sacred Scriptures has been closed, and some have been
greatly enlarged. Ireland, and our Emigrant population, make
large demands. Our Missionaries continue their translations
of the Scriptures ; and, when they have accomplished the
New Testament, almost invariably ask aid for the Old Testa-
ment also. While, again, many of our colonies are, to a great
extent, self-supporting in the work of distributing the Scrip-
tures, this is far from being the case in India and Ceylon. In
China it may, for the present, be a waiting season, till the Mis-
sionaries have completed the revision of the sacred text ; but
who can calculate the demand that is likely to be made upon
the Society — and it is hoped at no distant time — from that most
important quarter ?

"It is left to the judgment of the Society's friends to deter-
mine how they shall respond to this appeal, whether by
individual contributions, or by holding special Meetings, or by
collections made in other accustomed ways.

"The Committee trust that they have shown ample cause
for issuing this invitation ; and they conclude with a farther and
most earnest call for devoutest thanksgivings to the Great Head
of the Church, whose wondrous providence has rendered such
a step about this time absolutely necessary. May His guiding
hand be seen, and may the eyes of all be unto that hand ; and
may we all follow with willing feet whithersoever He may be
pleased to conduct us, as He may permit us to bear our humble
part in these His own works !"

This appeal met with a prompt and gratifying response on
the part both of Auxiliaries and individuals, and the result
was a sum of £8951.4.9. 5d. placed at the disposal of the
Society for the important object contemplated. It belongs
to another part of this history to touch on the specific mea-

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 225

siires additionally employed, at this time, for the benefit HOME,
of continental Europe; but the raising and appropriation chTxv.
of the fund forms an interesting circumstance in the his- —
tory of the Society at home, and very naturally, therefore,
has its place here. It furnishes another pleasing instance of
the readiness and force of Christian sympathy, existing among
the friends of Bible truth in this our highly-favoured country,
and it may be further regarded as an appropriate tribute of
gratitude for the distinguished protection granted to Britain, at
that eventful crisis, by a merciful Providence.

This year, the Society lost the services of the Rev. Joseph Resigna-
Jowett, who, for nearly seventeen years, had held the office of j^g" "j
Superintendent of the Editorial Department. He was com- Jowett.
pelled to retire by an increasing weakness of sight. He
was highly valued as a wise and experienced counsellor, and
as possessing a peculiarly happy manner of conveying, with
clearness and precision, to Missionary translators and editors, the
views of the Society. Many valuable letters of his, on a
variety of important points, were left in the hands of the Society.

The Rev. T. W. Meller, Rector of Woodbridge, Suffolk, Appoint-
who had been for some time assisting Mr. Jowett, was engaged ^l^ ^ ^y_
as his successor, much to the satisfaction of the Committee, Meller.
who had long known of his superior attainments in the know-
ledge of languages, ancient and modern. The Committee
would gladly have secured his undivided services ; but as he
could not relinquish the important position he filled at Wood-
bridge, the engagement only embraced a portion of his time,
and his salary was fixed accordingly.

The Rev. H. A. Browne, who had, since 1845, acted as one Resigna-
of the Society's domestic agents, was now, owing to the tionofKev.
pressing claims of other duties, compelled to relinquish his Browne,
appointment. He had ever proved himself acceptable to the
friends of the Society as a visitor, and had laboured not a
little to fulfil the many other less recognised, but not less im-
portant duties of an agent. Mr. Browne's services, though
from this time they became honorary, were not Avholly with-
drawn from the Society, but, on the contrary, have been
ever since, in many ways, kindly continued.

The friends of the Society at Manchester, gratefully rc-
Q

1848.

Chester.

226 HISTORY OF THE

HOME, membering the unprecedented issue of the Scriptures that

(^y'^y had been eftected in that part of the kingdom, and to which,

in no small degree, they attributed the tranquillity they had

enjoyed during the time of fearful agitation which had just

District passed over, and convinced, also, that there were innumerable

Agency at ^ '

]Man- individuals yet unsupplied with the Scriptures in the immense

population resident within a circle of twenty miles round
them, made an earnest application for a special agent to be
appointed for the district comprised in the above limits. The
district was found to include the following important places :
— Manchester and Salford, Ashton, Stalybridge and Ducken-
field, Bacup, Bolton, Burnley, Bury, Colne, Heywood, Old-
ham, Rawtenstall, Rochdale, Todmorden, Warrington, Wigan,
Stockport, Macclesfield, &c.

A conference was accordingly held at Manchester, at which
deputies from all the Auxiliaries within the district were
invited to attend, some of the members of the Parent Com-
mittee, together with the Secretary, being also present. The
result of this was the appropriation, on the part of the Parent
Society, of a sum not to exceed £400, as an experiment for
one year ; the money to be expended in paying the salary of
an agent, together with the expenses necessarily incurred in
the prosecution of the plan. The selection of the agent, toge-
ther with the management of the details, was undertaken by a
Special District Committee appointed for the purpose. The
first agent appointed Avas Mr. Jonathan Taylor : after five
years, he was succeeded by Mr. C. Swallow ; the measure having
been followed with such useful results, both in the formation
of new Societies, and in the wider dissemination of the Holy
Scriptures, as, in the judgment of all parties, fully to justify
its continuance.

One part of the plan embraced the employment of Col-
porteurs. For this object a gentleman on the spot, who en-
tered cordially into the measure, engaged to give £100 per
annum for three years : this liberal engagement was punctually
fulfilled, and the distribution, which in this way was effected,
extended to many thousand copies. One of these Colporteurs,
an indefatigable young man, made, in the first year, 18,727
visits, and sold 3795 copies of the Scriptures; and in the

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 227

second year lie made 14,708 visits, and sold 6183 copies. HOME.

Thousands of families were found destitute of the inspired Ch'xv
volume, and of these about one-third, it was reckoned, were —
supplied. At Liverpool a single Colporteur disposed of 7029
copies in the course of one year.

Another experiment of local agency was commenced this Local

year, at the earnest request of the Auxiliaries at Derby and the^ouu-"

Nottingham, and of some friends in the county of Lincoln, ties of

Mr. G. Wingfield was appointed as local agent for the three Nottin'g-

Lincoln ;

and in
Norfolk.

counties, his labours being placed under the direction of the ^^^™' f"^
Committees of the above Auxiliaries for the two counties men-
tioned, and of the Rev. H. A. Browne for the county of Lincoln,
who has since kindly undertaken, and carried on a general
superintendence of the whole. This local agency has now
been continued some years, and the friends of the Society
within the district report very favourably of the advantages
which have accrued from this plan of operation.

A similar plan had been for some years previously adopted
in the county of Norfolk. In this instance the agency was
entirely supported, as well as directed, by the friends of the
Society in the county, the expenses being defrayed partly
by specific individual contributions, partly by proportionate
deductions from the funds of the Auxiliary, and its respective
Branches. It appears, that during eleven years, ending in
1850, their indefatigable agent, Mr. Wiseman, had circulated
42,000 copies of the Scriptures, at cost prices, in the rural dis-
tricts of the county, and had raised £4000 in free subscriptions.

At the Anniversary Meeting of the Society in 1849, the Question of
question of opening the Meetings of the Society with prayer revived,
was again mooted. The subject had never been allowed to
rest long together, since its first agitation in the year 1832.
Frequent representations and remonstrances had at different
times reached the Committee, either directly, or through the
columns of diflPerent periodicals. In some instances these re-
presentations assumed a form which called for, and received
the most careful attention and deliberate discussion on the part
of the Committee, without, however, producing any material
change in their collective judgment on the point.

When, however, the subject was again publicly adverted to,
Q2

1849.

228 HISTORY OF THE

HOME, at the above meeting, by some of the warmest friends of the So-
CiiltV c^^^J' ^^ seemed inevitable that it should be submitted to a re-
newed consideration and discussion ; and hence, after a few ob-
servations had been made by the Secretary, Mr. Brandram, and
one or two other friends, it was, on the motion of the Rev.
E. Bickersteth, "referred to the Committee to consider
whether arrangements could not be made for commencing the
Annual Meetings with a portion of the Holy Scriptures, includ-
ing the Lord's Prayer."

It will be observed that the subject, as thus propounded
and discussed, was presented under considerable modification :
prayer itself is not referred to, except so far as it is involved in
reading the Lord's Prayer. The mover had evidently become
aware of some of the difficulties connected with the introduction
of united religious worship, in an assembly composed of persons
of so many various, and, in some respects, widely differing de-
nominations. Li the subsequent discussions, however, the
whole question of prayer, as well as the reading of the Scrip-
• tures, came iinder review. These discussions were con-

tinued through two successive Meetings of the Committee,
formally summoned, at which were present, not only the
mover and seconder of the resolution of reference, the Rev.
Edward Bickersteth and the Rev. George Clayton, but a con-
siderable number of clergymen, dissenting ministers, and other
friends, both from the metropolis and other parts of the
country. The account of this important deliberation, and of
the decision arrived at, is thus given in the Report of the
Society for 1850;—

" The Resolution passed at the last Annual Meeting of the

Society, relating to the manner of commencing its Public

Meetings, and which referred that subject to the consideration

of your Committee, received very full and deliberate attention.

The plan After repeated and lengthened discussions, in which your

of reading Qommittee were assisted by friends from different parts of the

a portion _ "^ ^ ^

ofScriptiue kingdom, it was determined to adopt the reading of a portion

^ op e . ^^ ^j^^ Holy Scriptures immediately after the chair is taken."

It is added, " This decision on a subject involving many more

difficulties than at first appear, will, it is hoped, be accepted

by the friends of the Society at large, in that spirit of conces-

1849.

BRITISH AND FOEETCxN BIBLE SOCIETY. 229

sioii and goodwill which has hitherto so strongly and happily HOME,
marked the proceedings of this Institution." Cn^V

The practice then commenced, has continued in the Parent
Society to the present time.*

Another subject has here to be mentioned, which, though Agitation

not strictly belonging to the Society's proceedings, as it relates statements

to matters not legitimately under its jurisdiction, greatly in- regarding

terested and disturbed, and, at one time, seemed likely to paid for

alienate many of the friends of the Institution. Considerable binding the
.-,-,., scriptures,

agitation was excited during the year now under review, on

the subject of the wages paid to the women employed in
binding the Society's books. Heavy charges of oppression
were brought against the party f by whom the contract for
binding was then held. In these charges it was sought to
implicate the Society, and the Committee were clamorously
called upon to interfere. This they declined to do. They
did not think themselves justly called upon to adopt so un-
usual a course, as to attempt to adjust the wages of workpeople
not engaged by themselves. An inquiry, however, was insti-
tuted, with regard to the allegations in question, by the Com-
mittees of two of the Society's valuable and important
Auxiliaries — the Southwark and the Westminster. These
Committees went into the investigation of their own accord,
and in each instance the inquiry was conducted in the most
careful manner. The results were laid before the public in
reports from the two abovenamed Societies. These reports The

are illustrative of the very slight, insufficient, and, indeed, falla- ^^^^'g^-^ .
•J o ^ ^ ^ ' proved to be

cious grounds, on which grave charges may be brought for- unfounded.
ward, and extensive and violent agitation produced, by
interested, or well meaning, though misinformed parties. J Not
only were the charges shown to be without foundation, but
the party accused obtained credit for a more than usual degree
of considerate and liberal arrangement. After this the agita-
tion soon died away.

* Since the above was wrttien, prayer has been introduced into the
Meeting-s of the Committee, and also, in conjunction with the reading- of
the Scriptures, into the Pubhc Meeting-, 1858.

t Miss VV'atkins.

I These Reports were given at length in the " Monthly Extracts " for
Tebruarv 1850.

230 HISTORY OF THE

1831.

CHAPTER XVI.

RELIGIOUS MOVEMENT IN IRELAND— THE GREAT
EXHIBITION.

1849-1851.

Death of Bishop Stanley, Rev. E. Bichersteth, and others —
Extraordinary ReUyious 3Iovement in Ireland, resulting from
Bible distribution — Various losses to the Society by Death:
3Ir. Cockle, Rev. A. Brandram, Right Hon. Lord Bexley —
Special effort in consequence of Romish aggression — Earl of
Shaftesbury, President of the Society — Efforts in connection
with the Great Exhibition of 1S51.

HOME. Two names were this year withdrawn, by the hand of

Ch.XVI. death, from the Society's list of Vice-Presidents, those of

Dr. Stanley, Bishop of Norwich, and Dr. Lear, Dean of

Salisbury; to which must be added those of the Rev.

Jbe Society '^* ^* Grimshawe and the Rev. Edward Bickersteth, both of

by death, them men of like excellent spirit, who were held in deserved

respect by Christians of different communions, and each of

whom had rendered very essential services to the Society.

In the course of this year a change took place in the
Department appropriated to the Foreign business of the So-
ciety, by the retirement of John Jackson, Esq., Ph.D., who,
during the space of twenty-live years, had held the office of
Assistant Foreign Secretary. The labours of Dr. Jackson
in this department had been abundant and valuable. His
name, though comparatively little prominent at home, had, by
his correspondence with foreign countries, become known in
every part of the world ; and the intelhgence, zeal, and Chris-
tian sentiment, which characterized his communications, had
won for liim everywhere the esteem and respect of the friends
of the Bible cause.

The Committee, in a Resolution passed by them on the

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 231

occasion of Dr. Jackson's retirement, make honourable men- HOME,
tion of the services rendered by him to the Society, from " his p, Tyj
knowledge of so many continental languages, and his ability —
to converse, to translate, and to correspond in them, together
with his accurate acquaintance with all foreign monies and
modes of keeping accounts."

Dr. Jackson was succeeded in his office by Mr. Henry
Knolleke, who had previously been employed for nearly four-
teen years in this department.

Frequent reference has been made in this history to large Keligious

grants of the Holy Scriptures appropriated to Ireland. These pioyement
. . 1, -11 11 -,. m Ireland,

grants were prmcipally communicated through the medium

of the different Societies labouring for the benefit of Ireland,
such as the Hibernian Bible Society, the Hibernian School
Society, the Sunday School Society for Ireland, the Baptist
Irish Society, the Irish Society of London, and other kindred
Institutions. These grants, which came in aid of the distri-
bution of the Hibernian Bible Society and its Auxiliaries, were
in the English and Irish languages, and had now amounted to
several hundred thousand copies.

The effect of the circulation of the Scriptures on a population
is sometimes apparently slender, and discernible only in the
gradual spread of religious knowledge, and a more elevated
tone, perhaps, of judgment and feeling in respect of moral
duties. Any more palpable and spiritual movement, as thus
connected with the multiplied dispersion of these silent mes-
sengers of divine truth, seems often a remote consequence, and
one not always capable of being traced back to the fact of
Bible distribution as its source. In coiuitries like England,
already evangelized to a great extent, and possessed of a Chris-
tian ministry, the spread of the Scriptures may be judged
to act chiefly as a powerful auxiliary to the efforts of the
pulpit. In Missionary stations, again, the circulation of the
Scriptures operates, for the most part, in the same subsi-
diary manner. But sometimes, both at home and abroad,
the Bible has preceded the Preacher and the Missionary ; and
in such instances, it has often been seen that the written word of
God, thus alone, is made, by the effectual blessing from on
high, an instrument of producing a great and blessed movement

1849.

232 HISTORY OF THE

HOME, amongst a people. In tlie annals of Bible distribution, innu-
Ch. XVI. merable single instances have occurred, even in this highly-fa-
voured country, where, in the cottage, and the workhouse, and
the prisoner's cell, the Bible alone has been the effectual
preacher. But also, and on a wider scale, in countries less
evangelized, this has been often the case : a movement has
begun, where the footsteps of the Missionary had not gone.
We shall have to record more than one such movement of
a highly interesting character, in different parts of Europe
and elsewhere, in connection with the operations of the Bible
Society ; but we have now to call attention to the progress of
a remarkable religious awakening produced in Ireland by the
diffusion of the Sacred Scriptures.

It was in this year, 1849, that it was given to the Society

to learn that the continued supplies of the Scriptures poured

into that country had been silently producing their effect.

to be traced A very extraordinary religiovis movement sprang up about

tothecir- ^j^'g time in different parts in Ireland, which has since greatly

culation of i i . i t • • i

the Holy increased, and been attended with the most surprismg and

Scriptures, pjgj^gjj-jg success ; and it is gratifying to be assured that it was

mainly prodviced by the reading of the Scriptures, especially

in the Irish language.

A few extracts from the papers of the Irish Society of
London may be taken as a specimen of the cheering intelli-
gence which, at that time, was continually arriving from the
sister country.

" Roman Catholic farmers and peasants petition for instruc-
tion in the Irish Bible, and assert their ' inalienable right to
read it.' The setting sun witnesses young men and maidens,
old men and children, leaving their homes to steal, imder
cover of the shades of evening, to the lonely cabin on the
mountain side, to ' search the Scriptures ' by the light of the
bog-wood splinter. Daring and ferocious Ribbonmen, bent on
deeds of blood, and mad against the Protestant faith, meet with
' the strange book,' and read it, and become ' clothed and In
their right mind,' and are found ' sitting at the feet of Jesus.'

The Superintendent of the Castlebar branch of the Mayo
district thus writes : —

" The Irish work in this district Is encouraging : the word

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 233

of life, in the vernacular language, is obtaining entrance into HOME,
the most retired parts of the mountain districts. The desire cn.liVI.
to learn to read the Scriptures is increasing. Places even —

. 1850.

desire schools, where, some short time since, there would have
been no hope of succeeding. Many acknowledge that the
blood of Christ alone can cleanse them from their sins. This
takes place in the remotest and wildest mountain glens.
Through a great part of this district prejudice is subsiding,
and people take up God's word with less fear than heretofore."

The Superintendent of the Erris branch of the Mayo
district, reports: —

" I just write to tell you what occurred here yesterday. I
was engaged in worship with my little flock in the workhouse,
at nine a.m., when suddenly the door opened, and in marched
twenty-nine or thirty Roman Catholics, the heads of families, all
men, I asked them what brought them out, and they said they
came to hear the word of God, and requested me to enter
their names as Protestants. This they did in the face of per-
secution, for as they were coming down to the house they were
pelted. I was very thankful to the Lord for the thing, for I
trust it is His work.

A Clergyman writes : —

" During the autumn of last year I was engaged by the
Society in a Missionary tour through the south of Ireland.
In the open daylight, in a small town, situated just on the
borders of the three counties of Limerick, Cork, and Kerry —
surrounded by a wdld district — in the midst of an Irish-
speaking population, there met me on one occasion, in the
market-house, fully one hundred men, assembled from the
districts all around — Irishmen, peasants as you would call
them — some of them farmers, others of them labourers — pro-
fessing Roman Catholics in their creed — and not a si//gle man
there present who had not some portion of the tvord of God in
the Irish tongueJ^

It was such intelligence as the above, received, not from
Ireland only, but, at the same period, from other and distant
parts of the world, that gave rise to the following reflections,
found in the conclusion of the Society's Annual Report for
the year : —

1850.

234 HISTORY OF THE

HOME. " The Committee would dwell with feelings of mingled
Cii. XVI. gi'atitude and delight on the fresh proofs, which the year has
supplied, of the preciousness and power of the Bible — its
living, its life-giving power, when accompanied with the
blessing of God the Holy Spirit. These proofs have not been
restricted to any particular country, nor have they been con-
nected with any particular translation, — versions in every
tongue, the barbarous as well as the polite, — versions of re-
cent date, as well as those venerable for age, — versions with
many imperfections upon them, as well as those more exact, —
fragments of versions in some cases, where the truth has been
but honestly conveyed, — have not been disdained by the Holy
Spirit of God, as the channels and instruments of His mighty
working. We have seen the Tartar and the Hottentot ; the
Esquimaux and the South Sea Islander ; the Hindoo, the
Mussulman, and the Greek, doing homage at the shrine of
inspired truth, having heard, each in his own tongue, the
wonderful works of God. We may also point to the sturdy
beggar, the fierce Communist, and the ruthless Ribbonman,
and others of desperate character, who, arrested by the power
of the word of truth, have been brought to the feet of the
Saviour of sinners : they have been touched — they have been
healed — and they have returned to give glory of God.

" Is it not refreshing, in an age like the present, when the
Bible is assaulted and maligned, when its authority is im-
pugned, and its inspiration denied, — is it not refreshing, at
such a time, to behold this despised Book, going forth into
every land, 'with signs and wonders following?' May we
not reverently say, it is God Himself testifying to the word of
His grace — testifying to it as the strength of His rod, no less
than the faithful witness of His love ? We bow to the over-
whelming conviction, — *The Mighty God, even the Lord,
hath spoken, and called the earth, from the rising of the sun,
unto the going down thereof.' "
Changes in The domestic transactions of this year, 1850, were, for the
AgencTof ^^^o^^ part, too much the recurrence of its general routine of
the Society quiet yet active proceeding, to require any particular notice.
The various agencies were extensively and successfully at
work. The staff was strengthened by the appointment of Mr.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 235

G. T. Edwards in the place of the Rev. H. A. Browne, and a HOME,
new arrangement of the districts throughout the kingdom was ^^^ "^yj
adopted; in consequence of which it was not deemed necessary —
to retain any longer the services of Mr. T. Sanger as a general
visitor. The connection of this gentleman with the Society,
after a period of sixteen years, as agent or visitor, being closed,
the Committee put upon record a resolution expressive of their
sense of the zeal, integrity, and earnest desire to promote the
best interests of the Society, which had ever marked his ser-
vices.

A circumstance very painful to the Committee occurred
this year, which, though it took place abroad, is here alluded
to, from its standing connected with a subject which, in former
years, had produced so much uneasiness at home. A Protes-
tant pastor in Hungary, whose name will often have to be
mentioned when the Society's work in that country is referred
to, had, it would seem, given some countenance to the append-
ing of the Apocrypha to some Bibles issued by him for the
use of his congregation. This being discovered, und reported
to the Committee, he was immediately remonstrated with,
which was all that could then be done, as he was by this time
an exile, driven from his country by the political troubles
which then swept over it. This worthy pastor became sen-
sible of the error he had somewhat inadvertently committed,
and offered every reparation in his power. He had now
ceased to act as an agent, and could not, therefore, further be
dealt with. But the Committee took the opportunity of adopt-
ing a further stringent resolution in regard to the Apocrypha,
Avliich was directed to be transmitted to all their Agents and
Agencies, calling their special attention to it. It was accom-
panied with a copy of the resolutions adopted at the General
Meetings in 1826 and 1827, and which are regarded and
printed as part of the fundamental rules of the Society. The
resolution was as follows : —

"That the Committee reiterate to all their Agents, and
would impress it on all others who may at any time be en-
trusted with the responsibility of preparing and issuing books
on behalf of the Society, that they require and expect the
most rigid adherence to the Society's regulations, in regard

by death.

236 HISTORY OF THE

HOME, to the total exclusion of the Apocrypha and other matter
Cii.livi. fi'owi all editions prepared by them, or issued on their ac-
— count."

A copy of the above now forms part of the standing in-
structions, given to all parties deputed to act for the Society,
in foreign countries.

Towards the close of the year 1850, and in the commence-
ment of the following year, there occurred in rapid and mourn-
ful succession some of the heaviest losses, in its official de-
partment, which the Society had at any time experienced.
Losses to Mr. Cockle, the faithful Depositary of the Society, died

the Society jj-j October; before the close of December, its invaluable Cleri-
cal Secretary was numbered with the dead ; within a few
short weeks the remains of the noble and venerable President
were laid beside those of Mr. Brandram, in the peaceful
churchyard at Beckenham. ' These all died in faith,' and in
the full and joyful hope of the resurrection to eternal life.

On each of the above occasions the Committee gave ex-
pression to their feelings in a short Memorial. These Me-
morials may be confidently appealed to, as furnishing a correct
estimate of the character and services of the respective parties,
given by those who were best capable to judge of them.

The first relates to the death of the Depositary, Mr. R.
Cockle: —
]Vir. " In putting upon record the lamented decease of Mr.

Richard Cockle, the Depositary of this Society, who died Oc-
tober 24th, 1850, the Committee wish to express the deep
sense they entertain of his valuable, important, and long-
continued services.

" Before the business of the Book Department of the So-
ciety was conducted on the present premises, when it was
under the charge of Mr. Seeley, of Fleet Street, Mr. Cockle
for several years took an active part in attending to its con-
cerns ; and when the whole was transferred to the Society's
House in Earl Street, he was appointed to the responsible
office of Depositary. From that time till his death, a period
of thirty-four years, Mr. Cockle discharged the duties de-
volving upon him with great fidelity and efficiency, and with
a zeal which stronirlv marked his cordial attachment to the

Cockle.

Memorial.

BRITISH AND FOEEICiN BIBLE SOCIETY. 237

objects of tlio Society, and his sincere regard for its wel- HOME.

^^re. ^ Cii."xvi.

" His intimate and practical acquaintance with the several —

. . . 1850
branches of trade connected with his department, gave him

singular advantages in the management of it; and to him,
perhaps, more than to any other person, the Society and the
public are indebted for the very great improvement which has
taken place in the appearance and quality, as well as in the
reduction of the prices, of Bibles and Testaments, as compared
with those first issued by the Society.

" The Committee sincerely rejoice in being assured that,
during the severe and protracted illness of their much-
lamented friend, especially towards its close, his mind was
preserved in much tranquillity, soothed by the consolations
and hopes set forth in that holy Book, which he had laboured
so diligently to circulate : and, while deploring the loss of
services so eminently devoted to the interests of the Society,
they desire to feel the full weight of the last words uttered
by tlieir dying fellow-labourer, ' The Lord will carry on His
own work.' "

The death of Mr. Brandram, the Clerical Secretary of the Mr. Bran-
Society, was an event of far greater importance. From the
period of his appointment, twenty-seven years before, he may His^gyoted
be truly said to have made the Society the one great object of labours in
his life. Not that he was unmindful of ministerial or pastoral of the
claims, or indifferent to the prosperity of other religious insti- Society.
tutions. They shared largely in his sympathy, and oftentimes
in his counsels, as w^ell as in his liberal and catholic support ;
and it was surprising to those who knew the amount of his
official engagements, to what an extent his personal efforts
were often made in the cause of the "poor and needy," the
"widow and the fatherless." But from the moment he
accepted, after much hesitation, the responsibilities of the office
of Secretary to the Society, he devoted to it the largest portion
of his time and his best energies. Nor did he relax from his
multiplied labours till the pressure of disease, soon to be fol-
lowed by the stroke of death, laid him prostrate. No memorial
could do full justice to the extent and value of the obligations
under which, for so many years, his services laid the Society.

238

HISTORY OF THE

HOME.
Ci[. XVI.

1850.
Memorial.

The following is that vvhicli tlie Society placed upon re-
cord : —

"The Committee have received, with deep and mournful
feelings, intelligence of the death of their invaluable Secretary,
the Rev. Andrew Brandram, which took place at Brighton,
on Thursday, December 26th, 1850.

"While they bow in silent submission to the will of the
Most High, they desire to record their profound sense of the
loss wdiich the Society has experienced by this painful event.

"Twenty-seven years ago, on the decease of the late Rev.
John Owen, the first Clerical Secretary of the Societ}^ Mr.
Brandram, after some hesitation, accepted an appointment to
the vacant office. Though not distinguished by the same
power of eloquence as his highly-gifted predecessor had been,
he brought into the service of the Society a mind equally
vigorous and well cultivated, an aptitude for business not less
remarkable, and an attachment to the principles of the Society
quite as sincere; while the high reputation which, as a double
first-class man, he had obtained at the University ; his manly,
straightforward, and uncompromising spirit ; blended with
genuine and unostentatious piety, soon gained him a standing
in public estimation and confidence, which he never lost.

" Having once made up his mind to undertake the office, he
gave himself to its duties with the most unreserved devoted-
ness; throwing his whole soul into the work — ^ which he ever
believed to be,' as he assured the Committee in a letter dic-
tated from his dying bed, *a work of God in our day.'

"His attachment to the constitution of the Society was not
less marked than his unremitting efforts to promote its great
and important object. So fully was he imbued with the con-
viction that its prosperity depends, under God, upon strict
adherence to its original principles, that nothing, could induce
him to swerve from those principles, even in the slightest
degree; and against any and every attempt on the part of
others to touch or alter them he at all times stood firm;
personal considerations weighing little with him, when he con-
sidered the integrity and well-being of the Society to be at
stake.

"It may be truly said of him that he was ' in labours most

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 239

abundant :' 3-ear after year, an increase of those labours was HOME,
rendered necessary by the constantly enlarging operations of cn.li^VI.
the Society. From his first entrance into office, he charged —
himself with a large part of the extensive correspondence of
the Society, both Domestic and Foreign ; and, in many other
ways, watched over its multifarious concerns ; besides which,
he devoted no inconsiderable portion of his time to travelling
throughout the kingdom, for the purpose of attending the
Anniversary Meetings of the Auxiliaries and Associations.
These, in connection with his other duties, domestic and
pastoral, persevered in from year to year, exacted from him
an amount of effort which few could have sustained so long,
and under which even his robust and vigorous frame at length
gave way. The result was, that, when it pleased God that
the hand of disease should be laid upon him, all the springs
of life seemed to have been broken at once : he quickly sank
into a state of entire prostration, and from the couch of utter
feebleness rose only ' to depart and be with Christ' for
ever.

"During his illness his mind was calm : he meekly yielded to
the will of his Heavenly Father, often whispering, in the silent
hours of the night, * Thy wall be done.' On the morning of
his departure he was heard feebly to exclaim, 'My Saviour,
my Saviour,' and, soon after, he entered into rest.

" Of their beloved friend the Committee will only further
say, that he combined qualities but rarely found in the same
individual : strength of body and of mind ; talent and learning ;
solidity of judgment; singleness of purpose; integrity of con-
duct; together with an independence of spirit always kept
under the control of Christian principle. To these endow-
ments were added a tone of feeling at once generous and
tender, and a heart under the habitual influence of that
'charity, which is the bond of perfectness.'

" Though firmly attached to the Church of England, both
in its doctrine and government, yet in a truly catholic spirit
he could cordially co-operate with his fellow-Christians con-
nected with other departments of the Universal Church. Not
having respect to his own ease, nor shunning reproach for
Christ's sake, he laboured, and toiled, and watched, and

240

HISTORY OF THE

HOME.

Ch. XVI.

1831.

Lord Bex-
ley.

Memorial.

prayed; in all things commending himself to the approval, not
of men, but of God.

"While the Committee express their sincerest regrets on
the loss of so endeared an associate — regrets that will be fully
shared, not only by his family, but by the whole body of his
parishioners, and even by the Church of Christ at large —
they are constrained to acknowledge the goodness of God in
having permitted them so long to enjoy his faithful services ;
and they w^ould, at the same time, offer up an earnest prayer,
that He who is Head over all things to His Church may deign
(now as formerly) to raise up and point out to them a suitable
instrument for carrying forward a work, so deeply connected
with the glory of God, and with the highest good of mankind."

The death of the noble and venerable President led to the
adoption of the following memorial, for which the Society was
indebted to the pen of another warm and long attached friend,
and Vice-President, since deceased. Sir R. H. Inglis, Bart.

"The Committee have to announce to the Society the death
of Nicholas Lord Bexley, their President.

"In recording this event on their Minutes, the Committee
cannot refrain from adding the expression of their own deep
and personal sense of the loss which they have thus sustained.
Before the decease of Lord Teignmouth, the first President of
of the Society, Lord Bexley was frequently called to occupy
the place of his venerable friend ; and when he afterwards, at
the unanimous request of the Committee, succeeded him in
office, his attention to the business of the Society became still
more marked and constant. Seldom was a meeting held, either
of the General Committee or of the more important Sub-
Committees, at which His Lordship was not present, watching
over its deliberations, and with dignified and Christian cour-
tesy assisting in its proceedings. In the last two or three
years, indeed, the Committee were no longer cheered by his
frequent presence among them, l)ut from time to time they
sought, and never sought in vain, the counsels which his long
experience rendered him most competent to aflPord.

"It is difficult to think of Lord Bexley in his later years
without thinking also of his friend and associate the late Rev.
A. Brandram, through whom his counsels were in every diffi-

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 241

cultj conveyed safely and wisely to this Committee: and HOME,
while they will not here, by any further allusion, encroach ch.^VI.
on a topic to which another page of their Minutes has been —
already devoted, they still find it impossible to separate, in the
closing years of both, the names of Bexley and of Brandram.

"In Lord Bexley 's earlier years his services to the cause of
the British and Foreign Bible Society were pre-eminent. In
the controversies which threatened the Society in the first
years of its existence, Lord Bexley was among the most un-
hesitating, yet among the most prudent of those who defended
its cause. He was the profound, far-seeing advocate of the
British and Foreign Bible Society, when it was exposed to sus-
picion and to obloquy among the wise, and the learned, and
the disputers of this world. The cause was not then popular :
its supporters too frequently incurred, not merely derision, but
the forfeiture of that confidence among their early friends,
which would have been secured to them if they had taken a
different line. Mr. Vansittart counted the cost ; and willingly
and cheerfully gave his support to the Society, unmindful of
the personal sacrifices which such support might involve. He
was the earliest, or, at any rate, one of the two earlier Cabinet
Ministers who enrolled their names in its ranks. In the midst
of the greatest war in which England was ever engaged, and
under the pressure of the financial difficulties which that war
occasioned. Lord Bexley, then Mr. Vansittart, and Chancellor
of the Exchequer, found time to defend the British and Foreign
Bible Society as the work of peace, and one of the most
powerful means of evangelizing the whole world. The secret
of his public zeal for the diff'usion of the Bible was his own
deep, personal, and experimental sense of its value. He knew
the importance of the Bible to others, because he knew its
unutterable value to his own soul. The candour of his mind
towards all men, the humility of his soul towards God, his
faith, his hope, his love, were all connected with the Bible,
and all, by the grace of God, sprung from it. The last sur-
vivor of the ministers of the venerable monarch, whose wish it
was that every man in his dominions might possess the Bible,
Lord Bexley, who had not been elevated to the Presidency till
he had nearly attained the appointed age of man, was yet

242 HISTOEY OF THE

HOME, spared for seventeen years to adorn that exalted station. That
Ch.^VI. personal piety which forms the first and pre-eminent quali-
~ fication of any one called to such an office was, to the end of
his days, marked in his conversation and in his life, in his
quiet unobtrusive charity, not of gifts only, but of words and
of silence ; and he enjoyed, to the age of eighty-four years,
the distinction once attributed to his still lamented predecessor.
Lord Teignmouth, by one scarcely less distinguished in Chris-
tian devotedness to the cause of the British and Foreign Bible
Society — the late Earl of Harrowby — who, at one of its me-
morable Anniversaries, said that Lord Teignmouth was then,
what Lord Bexley afterwards became, 'The centre of the
widest circle which this world ever knew.' "

The last ofiicial act of the venerable and noble President,
which he accompanied with the munificent donation of
£1000, was to sign his name to an Appeal, which it was
thought proper to issue, partly in consequence of certain
aggressive proceedings in this coiintry, which had then recently
taken place, on the part of the Roman Catholic Priesthood,
partly in consequence of the growing expenditure which the
Society had for some previous years incurred, and with which
its ordinary revenue, large as it was, had scarcely kept pace.

To the Appeal was immediately afterwards added a Cir-
cular, addressed more particularly to the Officers and Com-
mittees of the Auxiliaries, Branches, and Associations connected
with the Society, and containing a variety of practical sugges-
tions for the more eftective carrying out of the system of the
domestic operations of the Society.
APPEAL.
Appeal, on "Tlie Committee of the British and Foreign Bible Society

occasion of , , • -in ^ n ^ T • 1 IP!

Eomanist would be unmmdtul oi the trust reposed ni them, and or the

movements events now passing around, if they did not seize the present

land. moment to urge renewed and strenuous endeavours to extend

the circulation of the Holy Scriptures throughout this country

and the world.

" They reflect, with devout gratitude to God, that, during
the last forty-six years, more than fifteen millions of Bibles
and Testaments have been put forth by this Society in the
languages of the United Kingdom alone, besides millions dis-

1851.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 243

tribiited abroad within the same period : yet the fact meets us HOME,
at every turn — recent investigations painfully confirm it — Ch.'xvi.
that vast numbers, even of our own countrymen, are still des-
titute of the Sacred Volume, and cannot therefore enjoy the in-
estimable privilege of * searching the Scriptures for themselves.'

"Under these circumstances, it is clearly the duty of all
who venerate and love the Bible, and pre-eminently so of
those who are united for the express purpose of rendering it
more accessible to all, to rouse themselves to fresh and vigorous
exertions, especially when, as now, extraordinary attempts are
making to propagate among us a system known to be hostile
to the imrestricted use of the Inspired Records.

"The Committee, therefore, earnestly invite the Officers,
Committees, and Collectors of Auxiliaries, Branches, and
Associations, throughout the kingdom, to adopt immediate
measures for ascertaining the state of our domestic popvilation,
and for supplying its wants. They exhort them to strengthen
their Committees, to re-canvass their districts, and by every
means which Christian zeal and prudence may suggest, to
extend their labours, until no family is left, and, if it might be
so, no individual, without a copy of the Holy Scriptures.
They confidingly believe that, if these exertions be used in
dependence on the help of the Most High, His blessing will
not be withheld from their work of faith and labour of love.

"But the Committee go further than this: they plead not
alone for the multitudes at home who are unsupplied with the
Inspired Volume, and ignorant of its contents ; they plead also
for myriads in foreign lands, whose necessities are even more
urgent. Let it not be forgotten that countries, both within
and far beyond the limits of Christendom, are looking to
British Christians, and, in a great measiire, depending on
British sympathy, to furnish them with the rich treasure of
God's written word. Let it be known that the available
resources of the Society are not adequate to meet the exigen-
cies of the times, and that its income does not keep pace Avith
its increasing expenditure. Let it be remembered how deeply
Britain is indebted, under God, to the Bible, for its many
social, political, and religious advantages. Let these things
be borne in mind, as furnishing at this moment a call in Provi-
R 2

1851.

244 IIISTOIIY OF THE

HOME, dence distinct and imperative ; a call to individual and coni-
Ch. XVI. l^ined exertion, not unaccompanied with prayer: and let our
efforts never cease until the Bible is everywhere exalted to its
true position, and the teachings of fallible men universally give
place to the 'true sayings of God.' "

As the result of the above Appeal, numerous and very
liberal contributions came in from various quarters, by which
the funds of the Society were considerably replenished.

Thus ended a year of deep and mournful interest ; not,
indeed, without bright beams of encouragement as regarded the
general work of the Society ; but the losses which had been
experienced in its official department were the source of
deepest grief. The Committee, however, calling to mind the
goodness and mercy which had hitherto followed the Society,
while bowing with submission to the Hand which had removed
endeared and valued colleagues, thus sought, in the words of
their Report, to cherish in themselves and their friends " hope
amidst the billows."

" Shall we then be dismayed, or discouraged ? By no
means : for ' we will remember the years of the right hand of
the Most High, surely we will remember His wonders of old ;'
how the Bible was preserved and transmitted, when for ages
the utmost efforts were made to blot it out from under
heaven ; how it was afterwards disenchained and brought
forth from its prison-house, once more to lift up its voice
amidst the nations of Christendom : we will remember, too,
how in later times the Bible has been translated and dis-
tributed—not least so, by God's blessing on the labours of our
Society ; how it now sheds its hallowed light on districts and
countries over which the thickest darkness brooded half a
century ago : we will call to mind how, at the present
moment, countless hands grasp the Bible as the richest trea-
sure, and are ready to defend it ; countless hearts bow re-
verently to its dictates ; countless prayers ascend to God that
its blessings may be widely diffused and enjoyed. The
events of the year in our own country have seeaied to awaken
new zeal, and to enkindle fresh interest in behalf of the Bible.
The late appeal of the Committee has not been unheeded:
liberality presses forward with its gifts, and Christian de-

BllITISll AND FOIJEIGN BIBLE SOCIETY, 245

votedness girds itself for action. Having before us such re- HOME,
niembrances and tokens as these, we cannot cast away our cn. XVI.
confidence — we cannot yield to fear : we joyfully indulge the ~
assurance that our work shall be maintained and advanced."

It only remains here to add, that, much to the satisfaction gjiaf^s.
of the friends of the Society in general, the Right Hon. Lord bury, Pre-
Ashley, M.P. (now Earl of Shaftesbury), accepted the office of '''^"'*-
President of the Society ; the Rev. George John Collmson,
B.A., Vicar of Swanborne, Bucks, was chosen to become the
Clerical Secretary of the Society in the room of Rev. A.
Brandram ; and Mr. James Franklin was appointed to succeed
Mr. Cockle in the office of Depositary, with the duties of
which he was well acquainted, having been for nine j^ears em-
ployed in this department.

The year 1851 will long be remembered in this country, as Efforts in
that of the Great Ixdusteial Exhibition, in which were ^""hThe""^
brought together the best specimens of art, and the rarest Great Ex-
products of nature, from all parts of the world, and when a i85i.
concourse of visitors took place from almost every nation
under heaven. To every lover of the Bible it will be gratify-
ing to reflect that, in that magnificent, unrivalled, and costly
collection, a niche was found for the Volume of Inspiration,
not in a solitary form, but presented in 170 versions, contain-
ing (or representing) 130 languages; so that, of the multi-
tudes, gathered from the four quarters of the earth, that trod
the floor of that spacious and beautiful edifice, it is probable
there was scarcely one who might not have read or seen, " in
his own tongue," a portion, at least, of the divinely-inspired
record. Was not this a fact to be hailed with gratitude ? It
was in itself no trivial recompense for the toil and labour of
many a year.

It may here be remarked, that the 170 versions which met the
eye of the numerous visitors in the Crystal Palace, were selected
from a still larger number, in the publication of which the
Society had more or less assisted. They were, it may be
truly said, specimens of Christian industry, and learning,
and genius, the amoiuit and value of which is not to be
estimated ; though placed there on that occasion, rather as
an act of homage to that Book of books, to which our

1852.

246 HISTOKY OF THE

HOME, country owes so much ; in which are contained the liighest
Ch l^VI elements of peace, and order and goodwill ; beneath whose
influence, art and science, taste and genius, will be found ad-
ministering only to the happiness of man, and whose wondrous
records of truth and grace are adapted alike to all nations.*

Measures were taken, during the time that the Great Exhi-
bition was open, to afford opportunities for all persons,
foreigners as well as our own countrymen, to supply them-
selves with copies of the Scriptures. For this purpose depots
were opened at the west end of the metropolis ; supplies were
also furnished to the Foreign Conference Committee : in
addition to which, there were distributed 457,500 papers, such
as Specimens of Type, Catalogues, Brief Views, Summary
Statements, &c., all relating to the operations of the Society,
and calculated to arrest attention. An attendant was employed
at the stall where the versions were exhibited, an interesting
extract from whose Report will be found in the Appendix. f
The expenses incurred by these various measures, amount-
ing to upwards of £600, were met by special donations from
the friends of the Society.

* The glass case, containing- the versions as they were exhibited, has
been iiermanently placed in the room in which the meeting's of the Board
are held in the Society's House in Earl Street.

f See Appendix I., Note F.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 247

CHAPTER XVII.

THE JUBILEE OF THE BIBLE SOCIETY.

18.5-2—1854.

Change in the Sociefi/'s administration — Resignation of Rev. G. J.
CoUinson — Appointment of Rev. R. Frost — The year of
Jubilee — Meetings at the London Tavern and Exeter Hall
— Jubilee Fund, and its destination — Special Fundfor China —
Commemoration Sermon at St. PauVs by the Archbishop of
Canterbury — Servians by other Prelates in their dioceses —
j^jipropriation of Fund to Scriptures, for Colportage, the City
Mission, Hospitals, to Ireland, the Continent, and India —
War in the East — Supply of Scinptures to the Army and
Navy — Resignation of Rev. G. Browne — Appointment of Rev.

We now enter on the last portion of the Society's domestic HOME.

history, so far as that history is comprised -vvithin the Hmits ^^ XYII.

assigned to this work. The period, of which it is proposed

now to give some account, embraces only three years, but they

are years surpassed by none of the preceding in interest and

importance.

The last chapter left the Society suffering grievously under Change

several severe losses in its official department. It is no new death on

or strano-e thins; for the administration of human institutions *^ entire

officia,!
to pass from hand to hand : it must needs be so, where the Direction

institutions are of anv Ions; continuance, because it is with °.**

•' o ' _ ciety;

human agents, universally, as with the priests of old, "they
are not suffered to continue by reason of death." And
it is therefore a mark of the Divine protection and pre-
sence, when a work, which is carried on in the name of God,
and for His immediate glory, still survives and prospers, though
the instrumentality by which it is conducted fails or is changed.
Of those who were now in charge of the Society's affairs,

1(]52.

248

HISTOKY OF THE

HOME.

Ch. XVII.

1852.

yet its

continued

prosperity.

Success of
its Funds.

Local

Agency
increased.

there were few that had known it in its infancy : not one of its
original officers remained, and the Committee had been changed
again and again. When, therefore, so many that had been as
standard-bearers had quitted the scene; when to Owen, and
Hughes, and SteinkpofF, (the latter, though living, having long-
withdrawn from office) were to be added Teignmouth, and
Bexley, and Brandram, as no longer left to aid by their
counsels and efforts in the work of the Society, no wonder that
some anxiety should rest on the minds of the survivors in
regard to the future prosecution of the work. But He who is
wonderful in counsel and excellent in M'orking, and whose pre-
rogative it is to work by "many or by few," deigned so to
smile on the instrumentality He condescended to continue and
employ, as to render the years that follow eminently distin-
guished for the extent of the Society's acceptance, and labours,
and success.

The circumstances which transpired during the period now
under review, chiefly calling for comment, are those connected
with the approach and celebration of the Society's year of
Jubilee, for such was the character given to the Society's
fiftieth year.

The year 1852, however, presented some points of in-
terest which must not be passed over without notice.
The Funds in the preceding year showed an excess of
£11,000, as compared with the one immediately before it,
and this year made a further advance of £5000 ; no slight
indications that the Society still found favour in the eyes
of the Christian public. The issues, too, reached a number
unsurpassed, except upon two previous occasions ; an unmis-
takeable proof that the demand for the Sacred Volume was
still active and urgent.

The operations of the Society, both abroad and at home, were
carried on during the year with much vigour. In consequence of
the great increase of business in the Domestic department, a
fresh arrangement was deemed necessary. Major Fawkes was
appointed as Metropolitan Agent of the Society ; and the Rev.
J. A. Page, Incumbent of Tintwistle, Cheshire, was appointed
Agent for Yorkshire, it being deemed expedient that that largo
and iuiliiential count}'^ should be constituted a separate charge ;

BRITISH AND FOEEIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 249

a measure which has been fully justified by the greatly HOME.

increased stimulus which has been given to the Society's work q^ xvii

throughout that populous district. —

Towards the close of 1852, the Rev. George J. Collinson

resigned his office as one of the Secretaries of the Society, ^esig-
1 • 1 • 1 • • P o T . nation of

having accepted an appointment to be minister oi St. J ames s liev. G.

Chapel, Clapham, the important duties of which fully de- "^""i^soi^-
raanded his time. The Rev. Robert Frost, M.A., Incum-
bent of St. Mathias, Manchester, was, after a short interval,
invited to succeed Mr. Collinson as Clerical Secretary, which
invitation he accepted, but he did not enter on his official
duties until Midsummer 1853.

The Society's year of Jubilee commenced on the 4th of Com-
March, 1853. The subject, however, had, for some time "lencemeut
previously, occupied the attention of the Directors of the So- Jubilee,
ciety, and various preliminary measures had been adopted. ^8 vi^^

The following account is, for the most part, given in the
very language of the various official documents published at
the time — the Forty-ninth and Fiftieth Reports, the Jubilee
Report, and the Jubilee Memorial.

On the approach of the Society's fiftieth year it was thought Special

rio;ht to consider whether so interesting an epoch in its history e^'ts in

o ... connection

should not be accompanied with some special commemoration ; with it.
and whether, following the example of other Religious and
Benevolent Institutions, it should not be celebrated as a year
of Jubilee. After much deliberation, the measure was re-
solved upon, and the following Circular was drawn up and
issued, accompanied with the annexed resolutions of the Com-
mittee on the subject : —

" Circular,
" To the Auxiliaries and Friends of the British and Foreign

Bible Society throughout the world.
" Dear Friends,

*' A period now approaches in the history of the British
and Foreign Bible Society, when it will be most becoming in
all its supporters and friends to pause and review the past
dealino;s of God with it, and to take counsel together, and to
stir up one another to a more full accomplishment of the mis-
sion with which it is entrusted.

250 HISTORY OF THE

HOME. « On the 7th of March 1853 the Society enters on Its
Ch. XVII.

1853.

Circular to
Auxili-

fiftieth year — its year of Jubilee. The Committee would not
fulfil their own sense of duty, nor do justice to what they are
assured is the feeling of the Society's innumerable friends, if
they did not devise some means by which an event so full of
aries7&c. interest may be extensively, and profitably, and devoutly
celebrated.

*' They are aware that, in proposing to observe a year of
Jubilee, they are following in the wake of a number of im-
portant and valuable Institutions, which have already passed
this period of their history, and which may, therefore, be sup-
posed to have anticipated much of the excitement which such
seasons are adapted to inspire: still, the prominent place
which the British and Foreign Bible Society occupies before
our country and the world, and the deep hold which it has on
the affections of its constituents, and, above all, its sublime and
simple object, in connection with the best welfare of men and
the glory of God, justify, and even demand, that a season like
the approaching one, should not be allowed to pass without
some special commemoration.

" The resolutions which accompany this Address embody
the sentiments and views of the Committee of the Parent So-
ciety on the subject of the year of Jubilee. They contain,
also, a variety of suggestions and recommendations which the
Committee beg respectfully to place before the friends of the
Society, and to which they invite their candid and serious
consideration. The Committee are far from supposing that
they have exhausted the plans in which Christian ingenuity,
and liberality, and piety may combine, to promote the object
in view : they rather wish to be considered as throwing out a
general, though not a hastily-formed scheme, to be applied
and acted upon as opportunities and other circumstances may
dictate.

" The Committee cannot help reminding their friends of
the singular importance now attaching to the Bible, and, in
its degree, to the Bible Society, from the aspect of the present
times, and the condition of the world at large, both civilized
and unenlightened. But they forbear to enlarge on this or
any other topic, hoping, as they do, that they may have the

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 251

privilege of dispersing, in the course of the ensuing year, nu- HOME,
merous Appeals and Addresses from some of the Society's cu. XVII.
best friends. They wish, however, in conclusion, deeply to —
impress on the minds of all whom this Address may reach, as
well as on their own, that the Divine interposition and
blessing are required to give efficiency and success to this
movement: — that prayer and supplications, w^ith thanksgiving,
should especially accompany and sanctify the doings and
offerings of the Jubilee year."

The following are the Resolutions to which the preceding
Circular refers : —

I. That the year commencing March 7, 1853, being the
Society's fiftieth year, be observed as a Year of Jubilee, with
the view of specially commemorating the Divine goodness so
abundantly vouchsafed to the Society in its origin, early
history, and subsequent progress ; of bearing a renewed public
testimony to the Divine character and claims of the Bible,
and to the right of every individual of the human family to
possess and read the same ; and of promoting, by new and
vigorous efforts, the widest possible circulation of the Scrip-
tures, both at home and abroad.

II. That on Monday, March 7, 1853, at eleven o'clock
in the forenoon, a Special Meeting of the Committee be held
at the London Tavern, Bishopsgate Street (in the room where
the Society was formed in 1804) ; — the Committee to be open
to all Presidents and Officers of Auxiliary and Branch Socie-
ties. That, on Tuesday, March 8, a Special Public Meeting be
held in Exeter Hall, in the Strand, at twelve o'clock precisely ;
when a statement shall be presented, containing a brief re-
view of the history and operations of the Society ; to be fol-
lowed by other Public Meetings in the metropolis in the
autumn of the year, should it be found desirable.

III. That all clergymen and ministers throughout the
empire, friendly to the Society, be respectfully requested
to present its objects and claims to their congregations, by
Y)reaching Sermons, and making Collections in its behalf.
Where there is no local impediment, it is submitted that
March 13th, being the first Lord's-day in the Jubilee Year,
would be appropriate for the purpose.

1853.

2o2 HISTORY OP THE

HOME. lY. That it be recommended to all the Auxiliaries,

Cii. XVII. Branches, and Associations in the United Kingdom, and the
Colonies, to celebrate the Jubilee, by setting apart a day most
convenient to themselves, for a Special Public Meeting ; to be
preceded (if not already done) by Sermons and Collections in
the various places of worship. The Committee have thought it
desirable to propose to the Auxiliaries, Branches, and Associa-
tions, in Great Britain, and throughout the world, to hold their
Jubilee Meetings on a fixed day. Wednesday, the 12th of Octo-
ber, is named as a suitable day for this purpose ; and it is now
recommended that the Meetings be held on that day, or, where
this is not practicable, during the week in which that day occurs.

V. That a Special Fund be opened, to consist of Do-
nations, Congregational Collections, Sunday School Contribu-
tions, Juvenile and other Oiferings, and to be called " The
Jubilee Fund" of the British and Foreign Bible Society.

VI. That the Jubilee Fund be appropriated to the
furtherance of the following objects, the contributors to be at
liberty to specify to which of those objects their offering shall
be devoted : — the adoption, as far as practicable, of an ex-
tensive and efficient system of Colportage, throughout Great
Britain, in the Year of Jubilee ; the supply of Emigrants ;
together with special grants of Bibles and Testaments to
Prisons, Schools, Missions, and other Charitable and Bene-
volent Institutions in this country ; special grants to Ireland,
in such ways as may hereafter be determined upon ; special
efi^brts in India, Australia, and other British Colonies, by
agencies, grants, or otherwise; special grants to China, and
such other parts of the world as may appear open to special
operations ; and the establishment of a Special and separate
Fund, from the annual produce of which pecuniary aid may be
granted, at the discretion of the Committee, to persons in the
employ of the Society, including the Colporteurs abroad ; and
to their widows and children, when in circumstances to require
such aid.

VII. That these Resolutions, together with an Address
from the Committee, be sent to all the Auxiliaries and prin-
cipal Subscribers in this and other countries, to be followed
at intervals, throughout the Jubilee Year, by such other papers

1853.

RRTTISIl AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 253

and circulars as may be calculated to diffuse correct infor- HOME,
mation respecting the Society, awaken an interest in the ^^ xvil.
present movement, and secure the permanent co-operation of
all professing Christians in the accomplishment of the Society's
great and glorious designs."

Scarcely had this document gone forth, when communi-
cations poured in from all quarters, expressive of a deep and
wide-spread sympathy in the proposed commemoration, and
a cheerful willingness to take part in it. The Committee
were thus encouraged to proceed at once to the preparation of
other papers and appeals, adverted to in the above Resolutions.
The ' Jubilee Statement, ' to contain a brief review of the
history and operations of the Society, was confided to the
Rev. G. J. Collinson. The assistance of other friends, not
officially connected with the Society, was solicited and kindly
proffered ; and out of numerous documents thus generously
placed at the disposal of the Committee, several were selected
and published.*

It was soon found necessary to appoint some competent
person, to whom might be more immediately committed the
charge of this novel and interesting movement, and the So-
ciety's valued agent for Wales, the Rev. T. Phillips, at the

* The following- are the Papers and Pamphlets, which appeared at in-
tervals during- the Jubilee year : —

1. Address and Resolutions of the Committee.

2. Facts and Observations for the Year of Jubilee.

3. Address to the Young, by C. S. Dudley, Esq.

4. Address to Ministers and Missionaries, by Rev. W. Jowett, M.A.

5. Recollections and Counsels for the Year of Jubilee, by Rev. Dr.

Steinkopff.

6. A Plea for the Benevolent Fund (by J. Radley, Esq.).

7. Bible Colportage on the Continent "(by Mr. W. Tiddy).

8. The Providence of God traced in the Origin and Progress of the

Society (by J. Radley, Esq.).

9. An Appe-al for Enlarged Support, &c., by Rev. E,T.M.Phillipps,M.A .

10. What is the Bible? and, What has it done? by Rev. J. C.

Ryle, B.A.

11. Second Address of the Committee.
Single-leaf Series, A. Letter of the Bishop of Calcutta.

Ditto B. Questions and An.swers, &c. «Scc.

Ditto C. Address to the Working Classes.

Jubilee Record, Nos. 1 to 14 inclu.sive.

254

HISTORY OF THE

HOME. Committee's earnest request, consented to come up to town,
Ch. xVii. ^^^^ undertake the office of Jubilee Secretary.

— The demand for the brief publications above referred to

1833. T. 1 . 1 • o ' 1

was most extraordniary ; and, m order to satistj it, upwards
of half a million copies, including those in the Welsh language,
were printed. By means of the Society's agents, the Officers
of Auxiliaries, the numerous Collectors of Associations,
Sunday School Teachers, and others, these Jubilee messengers
found their way to the cottages of the poor and to the man-
sions of the rich. They were welcomed with joy by mul-
titudes of all ages and conditions, not only in Great Britain
and Ireland, but also in other and distant lands, even to earth's
remotest bounds. Several of the Jubilee Papers were re-
printed in India, and also in the colonies of British America
and Australia. The production and circulation of so large a
number of the above and other papers connected with the
Jubilee work, though attended with a considerable expense at
the time, will, it is believed, prove advantageous to the in-
terests of the Society for years to come.

The first Meeting held to celebrate the Jubilee, was on
Monday, March 7, 1853, the day on which the Society en-
tered its fiftieth year. It was convened at the London
Tavern, in the room in which the Society was originally
formed. The Right Honourable the Earl of Shaftesbury, the
President, was in the chair, succeeded by the Right Rev. Dr.
Carr, late Bishop of Bombay.

In addition to the officers of the Society, and members of
the Committee, there were present on the occasion nearly all
the foreign and domestic Agents, the Secretaries of the various
Missionary Societies, Officers of Auxiliary Societies, and a
large number of influential friends of the Society in London,
and from different parts of the country.

The proceedings were commenced by reading the 97 th
Psalm, and after the Noble Chairman had made some remarks
on the extraordinary circumstances under which the Committee
and friends of the Society had assembled, the minutes of the
last meeting of the Committee, and of various Sub-Committees,
embracing the Editorial, Agency, Finance, and other depart-
ments, were read and confirmed.

First Meet
ing at the
London
Tavern,
March 7,

1833.

d Res
lutions.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY, 255

The Jubilee Secretary then read interesting letters from HOME,
several distinguished friends of the Society, and from the ch. XVII,
officers and Committees of Foreign Bible Societies, and of
other Institutions ; whereupon it was resolved —

" That this Committee have received, with much pleasure, and Reso-
the friendly congratulations from the American, the Central
Prussian, the Netherlands, the Basle, and the Berg Bible So-
cieties; from the Committees of the Geneva and Belgian
Evangelical Societies ; from the French Congregational Church
in Brussels ; the Society for the Propagation of the Truth
at Amsterdam ; from Mr. Samuel Eisner, of Berlin ; and
from the Messrs. Courtois, of Toulouse; and beg to
reciprocate their good wishes and prayers, and to hail them,
in the name of the Lord, as fellow-labourers in the great
.cause of disseminating throughout the world the Scriptures of
truth."

The following Resolutions were also moved, seconded, and
supported by various members of the Committee : —

" That the Committee, on being assembled this day in the
room in which the Society was formed forty-nine years ago —
namely, on the 7th of March 1804 — would place on record
their deep and thankful sense of the good providence of God,
which has watched over the Society from its institution to
the present hour ; raising it from small beginnings to unan-
ticipated magnitude and eminence ; rescuing it when exposed
to assaults and perils; keeping it unchanged in its consti-
tution and principles ; enabling it steadily to pursue its course
and to extend its influence ; and giving it a position this day
not surpassed in any former period of its history : in the re-
view of all which the Committee would desire to say, * Not
unto us, O Lord' — not unto any who have preceded us —
' but unto Thy name be all the glory.'

" That this Committee, while calling into solemn remem-
brance the many holy and illustrious men, both at home and
abroad, who have at different times been found in the ranks
of the Society, but now have passed away, would offer their
affectionate and cordial congratulation to their venerable friend
Dr. Steinkopff', whom they are happy to see this day in the
midst of them, and who for twenty-two years held the office of

1853.

256 HISTORY OF THE

HOME. Foreign Secretary ; and they would also convey the same
Ch XVII congratulation, with expressions of their sympathy, to W.
—■^ Alers Hankey, Esq. (the sole survivor of the first Com-
mittee),— who, by the infirmities of years, is compelled to be
absent from this Meeting ; both of whom took an active part
in the formation of the Society, and alone, of its original
founders, survive to witness and welcome its Year of Ju-
bilee. That in these congratulations the Committee wish
to include the respected Treasurer of the Society, John
Thornton, Esq., who was first appointed on the Com-
mittee in the year 1805, and afterwards, in the year 1815,
succeeded his honoured uncle, Henry Thornton, Esq.,
in the Treasurership, in which office he has continued faith-
fully and advantageously to serve the Society to the present
time."

The above Resolution was acknowledged by the Rev. Dr.
Steinkopff in a lengthened address, in the course of which he
feelingly alluded to the former office-bearers of the Society,
and expressed the deep' attachment which he continued
to cherish towards it. The next Resolution was to this
effect : —

" That the Committee, having the pleasure of seeing amongst
them, on this interesting occasion, a large proportion of their
foreign as well as their domestic Agents, on whom devolves so
much of the responsibility of carrying out the Society's work,
would seize this opportunity of re-assuring their valued friends
of the cordial sympathy of the Committee in all their labours,
their trials, and their success."

On the passing of the above Resolution, the Secretary, the
Rev. George Browne, introduced, individually, to the Com-
mittee, the foreign and domestic Agents of the Society who were
present ; and expressed his regret at the absence of M. de Pres-
sense, the Agent of the Society at Paris, and of their well-known
and valued senior domestic Agent, Mr. Dudley; furnishing, at
the same time, various particulars connected with the spheres
of labour respectively occupied by the foreign Agents ; after
which Dr. Pinkerton, as senior foreign Agent, acknowledged
the Resolution on behalf of himself and fellow Agents, and gave
the Committee some interesting statements respecting his

1853.

BHITISn AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETV. 257

own labours on behalf of the Society since his appointment in HOME.
18^4.* Ch. XVII.

The Rev. E. Panchaud, deputed to represent the Belgian Evan-
gelical Society of Brussels at the Jubilee Meetings of this So-
ciety, was then introduced, and gave some gratifying statements
of the results of the operations carried on by Mr. Tiddy on
behalf of the Society in Belgium, stating that the Church in
Brussels, of which he is the pastor, owes its existence instrumen-
tally to those operations, and. that the same could be said as re-
gards twelve or thirteen other Protestant Churches in Belgium.

The Committee, by Resolution, then expressed themselves
very much gratified with the attendance of so many of the
officers of Auxiliary Societies and of kindred institutions, and
also of other distinguished and attached friends of the Society,
regarding it as an encouraging token of the wide and deep in-
terest that was likely to be felt in the celebration of the Society's
Jubilee.

Mr. William Jones, one of the Secretaries of the Religious
Tract Society, addressed the Committee in acknowledgment
of the above Resolution, and presented a Minute Book of the
Committee of that Society, containing the proceedings of their
Meeting on Tuesday, December 7, 1802, among which is in-
serted the first minute put on record concerning the formation
of the Society.!

* The presence of all the foreign Agents of the Society (with the above
exception), added greatly to the interest of the Jubilee celebration. 'While
it was agreeable to the Committee to see those men on whom the carry-
ing out of their measures so greatly depends, it was no less delightful to
themselves to have an opportunity of witnessing the ardent zeal, devoted-
ness and earnestness, with which the great interests of the Societj- are con-
ducted in this favoured land. The Jubilee interview between the Com-
mittee and its foreign agents was mutually pleasant and profitable.

t This interesting minute is as follows : —

" Mr. Charles, of liala, having introduced the subject which had been
previously mentioned by Mr. Tarn, of dispersing Bibles in Wales, the
Committee resolved that it would be highly desirable to stir up the
pubhc mind to the dispersion of Bibles generally, and that a paper in a
Magazine to this effect may be singularly useful. The object was deemed
sufficiently connected with the objects of the Society thus generally to
appear on the minutes ; and the Secretary (Rev. J. Hughes), who sug-
gested it, was accordingly desired to enter it."

1853.

258 IILSTORY OF THE

HOME. The Rev. Dr. Buntiiio- also addressed to the Committee
Ch. XVII. ^ f'6w words of congi'atulation on the entrance of the So-
ciety on its Jubilee Year, and gave utterance to his best
wishes for the continued blessing of God to rest on the So-
ciety's efforts.

After reading letters containing contributions to the Jubilee
Fund, several votes of thanks were passed, and the Meeting
adjourned.
Meeting at On Tuesday, March 8th, 1853, at twelve o'clock, the
Hdh ' Special Public Meeting was held at Exeter Hall, in the Strand.
The Right Hon. the Earl of Shaftesbury, President, in the
Chair, was well supported by the attendance of several Vice-
Presidents, and an unusually large number of ministers and
others, who occupied the platform, while the body of the Hall
was thronged in every part.
Jubilee Letters were read, expressive of sincere regret that they

Fund, and ^^qyq ^Qt able to attend the Meeting, from the Earl of Roden ;

its intended . .

objects. the Marq^^^s of Cholmondeley ; the Lord Bishop of Meath ;

Sir Robert H. Liglis, M.P. ; W. Evans, Esq., M.P. ; the Hon.

Arthur Kinnaird, M.P., and others.

The Rev. T. W. Meller, Editorial Superintendent, opened
the proceedings by reading the 61st chapter of Isaiah.

The Noble Chairman having addressed the Meeting, called
on the Rev. G. J. Collinson, one of the Secretaries, to read
the Jubilee Statement, comprising a review of the history
and operations of the Society, which he had prepared at the
request of the Committee. The Meeting was addressed by
the Bishop of Winchester ; the Rev. J. Angell James ; the
Duke of Argyle, President of the Edinburgh Bible Society ;
Dr. Duff; the Earl of Carlisle; Josiah Forster, Esq.; Rev.
Canon Stowell : Rev. W. Arthur, one of the Secretaries of
the Wesleyan Missionary Society; Rev. Dr. Charles, Presi-
dent of Trevecca College, South Wales ; Dr. Cumming ; W.
Jones, Esq., Secretary of the Religiovis Tract Society; Lord
Charles Russell ; and the Rev. George Browne.

The following are the Resolutions which were passed, con-
firming those adopted by the Committee : —

L That this Meeting welcome the Society's year of Jubilee,
hailing It as a fitting occasion for commemorating the Divine

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 259

goodness, so abundantly vouclisafed to the Society in its origin, HOME,
early history, and subsequent progress ; for bearing a renewed Ch. XVII,
public testimony to the Divine character and claims of the ~
Bible, and to the right of every individual of the human family
to possess and read the same ; and for promoting, by new and
vigorous efforts, the widest possible circulation of the Scrip-
tures, both at home and abroad.

II. That this Meeting approve of the measures and
plans of the Committee for the celebration of the Year of
Jubilee, including the institution of a Jubilee Fund, to be
appropriated to the following purposes ; namely —

1. The adoption, as far as practicable, of an extensive and
efficient system of Colportage, ' throughout Great Britain, in
the Year of Jubilee; the supply of Emigrants ; together with
special grants of Bibles and Testaments to Prisons, Schools,
Missions, and other Charitable and Benevolent Institutions in
this country.

2. Special grants to Ireland, in such ways as may here-
after be determined upon.

3. Special efforts in India, Australia, and other British
Colonies, by agencies, grants, or otherwise.

4. Special grants to China, and such other parts of the
world as may appear open to special operations.

5. The establishment of a special and separate fund, from
the annual produce of which pecuniary aid may be granted,
at the discretion of the Committee, to persons in the employ
of the Society, including the Colporteurs abroad ; and to their
widows and children, when in circumstances to require such
aid.

III. That the Jubilee Fund be now regarded as open, and
that all ranks and ages be invited and encouraged to contri-
bute thereto with a liberality commensurate with the inijmr-
tance and magnitude of the objects contemplated.

I Y. That this Meeting, while calling on all the friends of
the Society to unite in commemorating its Year of Jubilee,
would express their earnest desire and hope, that whatsoever
is done may be in humble dependence on the l)lessing of
Almighty God, and to His glory.

At this Meeting the Jubilee Fund was thus formally opened,
S2

260

niSTOr.Y OF THE

HOME.

ch. xvn.

1853.

Commemo-
ration Ser-
mon at St.
Paul's, by
the Arch-
bishop of
Canter-
bury.

Sermons by
several
other Pre-
lates and
ministers.

and during the proceedings, tlie Jubilee Secretary read a list of
contributions amounting to u])wards of £7000.

On the following day, Wednesday, March the 9th, in pur-
suance of arrangements made by friends of the Society, apart
from the Committee, a Commemorative Sermon was preached
at St. Paul's Cathedral, by His Grace the Archbishop of Can-
terbury, who thus greatly added to the obligations under
which he had placed the Society, by his long-continued and
valuable support. The Lord Mayor and several of the Alder-
men, with the Chamberlain, and other members of the Corpo-
ration of London, were present, in their official characters, on
the occasion.

These Meetings were speedily followed by others of a
most gratifying nature — at Manchester, Liverpool, Norwich,
Ipswich, Hereford, Cambridge, Chester, and many other
places.

The example of the Archbishop was followed by other
Right Rev. Prelates, the Bishops of Winchester, Chester, and
Hereford, and by several of the Colonial Bishops, in distant
climes. Sermons also were preached, and collections made, in
numerous churches and chapels, both in town and country,
on the day suggested by the Committee, Sunday, the 13th of
March; and many similar services continued to be held
during the year, especially in the month of October, as recom-
mended by the Committee.

Numerous very gratifying communications, expressive of
fraternal sympathy and goodwill, were received, on occa-
sion of the Society's Jubilee ; among which may be specified
those sent from the American Bible Society, the Central Prus-
sian Bible Society, the Netherlands Bible Society, the Basle
Bible Society, the Danish Bible Society, the Wiirtemberg
Bible Society, and several other kindred Institutions abroad ;
and also from the Church Missionary Society, the London
Missionary Society, the Wesleyan Missionary Society, the
Moravian Missionary Society, the Religious Tract Society, the
London City Mission, the London Society for Promoting Chris-
tianity among the Jews, and the Congregational Union of
England and Wales.

In regard to the appropriation of the Jubilee Fund, it was

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 20 1

resolved, after much deliberation, to open a correspondence HOME
with the several Presidencies in India, and with friends Cn.XVll.
in China, with a view to some more extended efforts for the ~
benefit of those countries ; to send out a Deputation, consisting
of one or tAvo suitable persons, to Australia and New Zealand,
possibly to touch also at some of the other Islands of the
Pacific ; and further, to employ some accredited agent of the
Society to visit the colonies of British America and the West-
India Islands. A scheme for a more extensive system of
Colportage throughout Great Britain, in connection with the
Year of Jubilee, was also adopted. Thus auspiciously did the
Jubilee commence.

The anticipations expressed at the opening of the Jubilee Wide-
Year were realized, and even more than realized. The interest sympathy
then awakened was sustained and increased, and spread itself j^'-je n^o"'.
to the utmost limits of the circle embraced by the Society, meut ;
Never before, in the history of the Institution, had there been
so Avide-spread a demonstration in its favour; never had
greater efforts been made to uphold and advocate its cause.
Old friends rallied around it with indications of unabated
attachment, and new friends were gathered, whose accession at home,
gave hopeful promise for the future. Its proceedings were
published, and made known in every direction, and its claims
were admitted in quarters where before they had been little
heard of. The pulpit, the platform, and the press, combined
in this acceptable service ; and innumerable friends, in these
different ways, came forward to serve the Society during this
memorable year.

The impulse thus given at the centre was felt, as in- and iu
timated above, even to the circumference of the Society's j^nj^"
connections and operations. During the whole of the Jubilee
Year the most cheermg tidings were received from various
Auxiliary Societies throughout the world. The glad echoes
of the Jubilee trumpet reverberated throughout Canada, Nova
Scotia, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland. The Auxiliaries
in Jamaica, Antigua, Demerara, and Barbadoes, assembled to
celebrate the Juljilee of tliat Society which had blessed their
enslaved population with the charter of true freedom. A Ju-
bilee Meeting of an interesting character, and under extra-

262

HISTORY OF THE

HOME.

Ch. XVII,

1853.

Letter of
Rev. J. A.
James, on
special ef-
fort for
China.

ordinary circumstances, was held at Constantinople, under the
Presidency of the British Ambassador, succeeded in the Chair
by the Representative of the United States ; a Meeting which
doubtless encouraged the friends of the Bible to look, and
long, and labour for the day when the crescent shall give
place to the cross, and the Koran shall be superseded by the
Bible. Within the precincts of the sacred city of Jerusalem
a Public Meeting was convened under the Presidency of the
English Bishop: may not this be regarded as a pledge
and an earnest of still greater blessings to that ancient and
honoured land?

The great and growing Auxiliaries in our Indian Empire
had their joyful Jubilee celebrations at Calcutta, Madras,
Bombay, Agra, Jaffna, and Colombo, at which Prelates, and
Missionaries of various Societies, assisted with one heart and
soul. At Shanghai, also, the Missionaries, surrounded by
those who loved the Bible, both natives and foreigners, as-
sembled to review and to acknowledge the Lord's goodness to
the Society, as well as to take active measru'es to promote its
objects still more widely. Africa, likewise, participated in the
general feeling, and manifested it at the Meetings held at the
Cape of Good Hope, Graham's Town, and elsewhere. At
Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Hobart Town, and other places
in the southern hemisphere, the claims of the Society's Ju-
bilee Avere felt, awakening gratitude for the past, and stimu-
lating to action for the future. Even at the antipodes, in New
Zealand, the people heard the glad sound, and joined with the
rest of the world in the song of Jubilee. Truly, the interest
felt spread far and wide : * From the very ends of the earth
was heard the song — Glory to the righteous One.'

In the midst of these celebrations a new chord was struck ;
and again the heart of Christian sympathy vibrated with
strong and lively emotion. In the autumn of the year a letter
appeared in the public prints from the pen of the Rev. John
Angell James, of Birmingham, one of the oldest and warmest
friends of the Society, embodying a proposal, which had been
originally suggested by Thomas Thompson, Esq., of Pounds-
ford Park, that in order to be prepared to take advantage of
the extraordinary movements going on in China, and of the

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 263

probable opening which might thus be afforded for the intro- HOME,
duction of the Scriptures into that vast and beniglited empire, cuxvil.
a MILLION copies of the New Testament in the Chinese Ian- —
guage should be immediately printed, and measures taken to
disperse them as speedily as possible.

The attention of the Committee was early drawn to this
document — not indeed addressed to themselves in particular,
but submitted to the whole Christian world ; and after serious
consideration they resolved ' that, relying on the sympathy of
the British public in this desirable object, they w^ere prepared
to take upon themselves all the measures necessary for print-
ing, with the least practicable delay, one million copies of the
Chinese New Testament.' The views and motives of the
Committee in this important step were explained in the fol-
lowing ' Special Appeal ' issued on the occasion : —

" Nothing need be said on the importance of China as a field Appeal for
of Evangelical and Biblical enterprise. Its claims are those
of nearly a third part of the human family, under the destruc-
tive reign of delusion and superstition.

"The attention of the Committee of the British and Foreign
Bible Society was early directed to China, and considerable
sums of money have from time to time been expended in
assisting to translate, print, and circulate, the Holy Scriptures
in the Chinese language. Into the history of these efforts,
associated originally with the honoured names of Morrison,
Milne, and Marshman, and at a later period with those of many
valuable Missionaries, both European and American, it is not
necessary now to enter. It may be sufficient to state, that, of
the several translations or versions effected, numerous editions
of the whole, or of portions, have been, in the course of years,
through various channels, brought into the hands of the people.

" On the Society's entering its Year of Jubilee, the Com-
mittee resolved to place this remarkable country prominently
forward among the special objects to which the fund, then
proposed to be raised, should be appropriated. In the circular
and resolutions of the Committee of December 6, 1852, under
the head of 'The Jubilee Fund,' was included 'Special Grants
to China, and such other parts of the world as may appear
open to special operations.'

Cu. XVII.
1853,

264 HISTOKT OF THE

HOME. " And in their second circular, issued by the Committee in
August last, thej state that 'they ai-e also watching Avith deep
interest the progress of events in China, and indulge the hope
that Providence is about to mai'k out a field for the employ-
ment of a considerable portion of the Jubilee Fund in that
increasingly important empire. An additional s\im of £500
has just been placed at the disposal of the Corresponding Com-
mittee at Shanghai, for printing and distributing new editions
of the Scriptures in the Chinese language, with encouragement
to ask for more.'

" Thus it will be seen that the Committee have not been un-
mindful of the claims of China generally, nor inattentive to
those recent extraordinary movements, which have given to
these claims peculiar strength and urgency, and overwhelm-
ing interest.

" When, therefore, a proposal was brought forward in the
public papers to send a million copies of the New Testament to
China, the Committee, immediately felt that, if such a work was
to be done, or ought to be attempted, it fell within their
province to undertake the responsibility of it ; and they forth-
with resolved and made it known 'that they were prepared,
relying on the sympathy of the British public in this desirable
object, to take upon themselves all the measures necessary for
printing, with the least practicable delay, one millioii copies of
the Chinese New Testament."

" The Committee must leave it very much to others to rouse,
and stimulate, and keep alive, public sympathy and liberality
in favour of this new and interesting movement. They rejoice
that this has been, and is likely to be, so well accomplished.
The design of the present circular is, simply to explain the
course the Committee think it right to adopt in reference to
this enlarged project, to which they have thus become unex-
pectedly pledged.

" It cannot but be looked upon as a remarkable concidence,
that this new and urgent call should have reached the Society
in the midst of its Jubilee celebrations, and that it should be
for a country already embraced in its Jubilee scheme. The
contemplated effort, however, is of too large a magnitude to bo
wholly met by any existing arrangements ; besides which it

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 265

has awakened, and is gathering around it, an interest of its HOME,
own, not to be disregarded or undervalued. The Committee, ^y ~XYU.
therefore, have determined, ' in connection with their Jubilee —
Fund, to open a separate account for printing a million copies
of the Chinese New Testament; and they will receive special
contributions to the object, whether in sums of any amount, or in
the exact value of a specified number of copies, estimated at ^d.
a copi)^ A separate list of these special contributions will be
published from time to time.

"The Committee wish it to be understood, that while no
practicable means will be neglected for producing the desired
number of copies as early as possible, that they may be ready
for the anticipated opening, still a considerable time must elapse
before so large a project can be fully realized. Not a day was
lost in forwarding communications to those friends in China
on whom the execution of the work will, in all probability,
chiefly devolve. But it must be some months before a report
can be received of the measures which it may be in their
power to adopt, or of the help which it may be practicable to
render from this country. These friends are, however, em-
powered to commence operations at once, according to the
facilities they already possess.

" The Committee, in conclusion, desire to commend this
undertaking to Him, whose word they seek to circulate,
earnestly imploring the requisite grace and wisdom for carry-
ing it forwaixl in the way best adapted to promote His king-
dom and glory."

Not in vain did the Committee again cast themselves on the
liberality of the Christian public. With little effort on their
part, but with much noble, and generous, and self-denying
effort on the part of others, the calculated amount necessary
for the proposed million of New Testaments was promptly
raised ; and a noble surplus was found, which, after meeting the
further requirements of the project, it was proposed should be
wholly devoted to the spreading of the Scriptures in China.
The intensity, activity, and rapid result of this new effort of
Christian zeal, were perhaps never surpassed; contributions
flowed in from all quarters, and from all classes, in almost end-
less variety of amount. In this, as in the general Jubilee Fund,

266 HISTORY OF THE

HOME, the poor man vied with the rich, the child with the aged sire,
Ch. XVII. ^^^ Colonies with the motlier country, and even foreigners, in
climes far distant from each other, pressed to take, though
it were but an humble part in this magnificent act of charity.
The amount of the united Special Funds, as made up at
the close of the Society's year was.
Amount of GeneralJubilee Fund . . £67,040 0 5
China Fund 32,183 16 6

1854.

Jubilee
Fund

Makins a Total of . . . £99,223 16 ir

and Appro- The appropriation of these large sums entrusted to them,
pnation. pressed heavily on the minds of the Committee, and engaged
their most serious attention. The particulars of this appro-
priation, so far as it was carried during the year of Jubilee,!
were as folloAvs —

1. For purposes of Domestic Colportage, £1775.

2. To the London City Mission, 10,000 Bibles and Testa-
ments.

3. To Unions, Prisons, and Hospitals, for permanent use
in those establishments, 10,721 copies.

4. To Ix-eland, 51,500 copies, value about £4000.

5. To Prisons, Hospitals, Schools, &c., in Holland, France,
and different parts of Germany, with the Universities at Upsala
and Bonn, nearly 20,000 copies.

6. To the several Presidencies in India, in books and
money, to the amount of above £5000.

7. Besides smaller grants to Emigrants, Jews, &c.'
Arrangements were made with the Rev. Philip Kent,

one of the Society's Domestic Agents, to visit the British
Colonies of North America, where the Auxiliaries expressed
themselves prepared to give him a cordial welcome. Mr.
Kent left this country so as to attend the Anniversary
Meeting of the American Bible Society, as the representative
of the British and Foreign Bible Society.

Negotiations also were entered into with two gentlemen — the
Rev. M. H. Beecher, Rector of Barnoldby-le-Beck, Lin-
colnshire, and Thomas Charles, Esq., the grandson of the

* Both funds were afterwards considerably increased,
t ^ee Jubilee Report.

BRITISH AXD FOKEIGX BIBLE SOCIETY. 267

Rev. T. Charles, of Bala, a name associated "vvitli the earliest HOME.
history of the Society — to undertake the proposed mission to (,^ xVlI
Australia — a measure regarded as due alike to the impor- —
tance of those rising Colonies, and the liberality and cordial
feeling of the valuable Auxiliaries already in operation
there.*

With regard to the appropriation of the China Fund, it
may be stated that measures were resolved upon by the
Shanghai Corresponding Committee, in concert with the
Bishop of Victoria, for printing ofie quarter of the million
copies intended to be produced; namely, 115,000 copies at
Shanghai, under the charge of the Corresponding Committee;
50,000, under the superintendence of Dr. Legge, at Hong
Kong; 85,000 at different Missionary Stations, under the
direction of the Bishop of Victoria, who very kindly took upon
himself the responsibility of tliis portion of the work. And
to expedite the carrying on of the above works in China
an additional cylinder printing-press was sent out, to be placed
in charge of the Correspondmg Committee at Shanghai, for
the purposes of the Society.

In conjunction with the above undertakings, it was resolved
to print 50,000 copies of the entire Bible in Chinese, as fast as
facilities could be obtained for the purpose, to be paid for out
of the surplus proceeds of the New-Testament Fund, if found
sufficient.

The extraordinary revolution in China, which gave rise to
the above projects and works, was yet immature — ^its results
uncertain. But the Society would not have been faithful
to the trust reposed in it, if it had shrunk from the attempt
to provide, at any cost, for probable or even possible contin-
gencies, where the interests of such a mighty population were
concerned.

The Society's year of Jubilee was destined to be signalized
by another extraordinary and unexpected effort. The breaking
out of the war in the East awakened emotions that had long
slumbered, and summoned to duties that had happily become

* Both these Missions were uccomphshed in safety, and proved highly
acceptable.

268 HISTORY OP the

HOME, almost unknown. When it was understood that thousands
Ch. XVir. of our countrymen, both in the army and navy, were leaving
~, our shores on hostile expeditions, the Committee met and
resolved that it was *most desirable that every soldier,
sailor, and non-commissioned officer proceeding on foreign
service, should be provided with a copy of the New Testa-
ment.'
War in the Measures were immediately adopted in the spirit of the
aud Scrip- ^^ove Resolution, and 50,000 New Testaments were directed
ture dis- to be prepared without delay. Recollecting that a sister So-
to the ciety, the Naval and Military Bible Society, already occitpied
Army and ftself in this department of Christian philanthropy, and un-
willing, even on so extraordinary an occasion, to appear to
act in rivalry with its respected coadjutor in the same great
work, a deputation, headed by the noble President, was
appointed to hold a conference with the conductors of that
Institution, to consult with them as to the best mode of a
friendly and mutual co-operation. As the result of that con-
ference, 20,000 copies of the New Testament, afterwards
increased to 30,000, were placed at their disposal; and as
their Agency did not extend beyond this kingdom, grants to
the extent of 5000 copies were made to the Hibernian Bible
Society, for troops and vessels sailing from Ireland. Large
supplies were also forwarded to the Society's Agents and
Correspondents at Malta and Constantinople, who were encou-
raged and enjoined to take all suitable measures for furthering
the object in view.

His Lordship, the President, in a personal interview with
the chief Naval and Military authorities, assured himself of their
favourable regard to the above project.

Taking further into account the opportunities and openings
which even war might supply, there were ordered to press 10,000
copies of the Four Gospels in the Turkish, and 5000 of the
New Testament and Psalms in Modern Russ ; and the foreign
depots were largely supplied with the Scriptures in several
other European and Eastern languages.

In addition to the above, M. de Pressense was empowered
to furnish, at the cost of the Society, copies of the New Tes-
tament to the soldiers and sailors of the French armament

BRTTTSn AND FORETGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 2G9

destined to the scat of war, on sucli terms and to sncli extent HOME,
as he might deem expedient and practicable.* ^^^^ x\U

Thus closed the Society's Year of Jubilee ; and if ever the —
language of praise and acknowledgment were appropriate on a
review of the Society's proceedings, it was so at the close of close of
this Jubilee Year, certainly the most remarkable in the history Jubilee
of the Institution. Its income, from all sources, had swelled to
an unprecedented amount, and only in two instances had its
distributions within the year been larger. The friendly mani-
festations called forth by its Jubilee had been of the most
gratifying description ; whilst the extraordinary effort made in
behalf of China, and other unlooked-for circumstances, com-
bined to place the Society in a position such as it had never
before occupied, and to stamp upon its fiftieth year a character
of solemn magnitude and of deepest interest.

It remains to be stated that the Rev. George Browne, who Eesigna-
had for twenty years acted as one of the Secretaries of the ^eoree ^^
Society, having signified that he no longer felt equal to the full Browne as
claims of his office, a successor was appointed in the person of and'^ap- ^'
the Rev. S. B. Bergne, minister of the Poultry Chapel, London, po'^^ment
who relinquished his pastoral charge that he might give him- b. Bergne.
self wholly to his new and important duties. Arrangements
were made with Mr. Browne for a continuance of a portion
of his services ; and, at the same time, the present work, as
previously notified, was assigned to him.

The plan of the present work demands that the narrative, so
far as regards the Society's domestic proceedings, should close
here. It will be the province of the future historian to record
the progress and results of those various important measures,

,,,. 1, T I'l 1 Permanent

both ordmary and extraordmary, which, as we have seen, were gor,j ^^ff^,^^
originated and partially developed, in connection with the year ^^ ]^^^
of Jubilee. It may suffice here to say, that those measures movement,
were carried out with a large and encouraging success, and that
the excitement of that epoch, stimulated, as it further was, by
the remarkable providential events which occurred during the

* Some further particulars, relating- to these large preparations and
distributions will be given, when we come to speak of the Society's ope-
rations in those countries which were the more immediate scene of
conflict.

270 HISTORY OF THE

HOME, same period, so far from being followed, as some feared, by a
Ch. XVII. reaction, would seem to have operated rather as a permanent
— impulse, and to have infused new" life into every branch of the
Society's operations. Prosperity has, through the favour of
God, continued to rest on its labours ; its resources have been
augmenting each year, and in the circle of its friends and
supporters, extended not a little during the season of the
Jubilee, there is still the gratifying spectacle of undiminished
zeal and attachment.*

* During- the Jubilee year, a work was brought out in the Welsh lan-
guage, by the Ilev. T. Phillips, the Jubilee Secretary, and Agent of the So-
ciety for Wales : it is entitled " The Book of the Jubilee ;" containing the
History of the British and Foreign Bible Society for fifty years.
Besides a review of the origin and operations of the Society, the work
includes a dissertation on the inspiration and authority of the Scriptures,
on the Welsh translations of the Bible, together with biogTaphical sketches
of the Welsh translators ; and other original and interesting matter, both
in prose and poetry.

Nor would it be right to omit here some notice of another volume,
which, both at the period of the Jubilee and since, has done much to lay
open and make known the machinery and working of the Society, and to
excite an interest in its favour. " The Book and its Story," by E. L. N.,
was written on the suggestion and at the request of some friends officially
connected with the Jubilee movement. The form which it assumed did
not allow of its being officially recognised, and it was brought out entirely
at private expense and risk, but the service which it has rendered to the
cause of the Society cannot but be highly estimated. Of its exceeding
acceptableness and popularity, it is sufficient to say that editions to the
extent of 60,000 copies have already been called for. The gifted and
devoted authoress is labouring still further to promote the object and
work of the Society by editing a periodical entitled " The Book and its
Mission," which appears monthly ; and, besides original communications
and documents of much interest and value, contains articles of recent
intelligence respectmg the Society's proceedings.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 271

CHAPTER XVIII.

REVIEW OF THE HOME ADMINISTRATION OF THE SOCIETY.

1854.

Importance of the Home Direction of the Society to its success and
progress — Prmciples which have mainly governed its admmis-
tration — The practical icork of the Society — The sxipply and
circulation of the Holy Scriptures — Obligations to Missio-
naries in regard to Foreign Versions — Beferences to the Direc-
tors of the Society — Presidents, Vice-Presidents, Committee —
The amount of time and careful judgment devoted to the u-ork of
the Society — The Secretaries — Owen, Hughes, Steinkopjf, Bran-
dram, ^'c, their special and eminent qualifications.

Having now brought to its close this review of the Society's HOME,
domestic administration, and having witnessed the important q^ xvill
and unexpectedly large results in which, through the favour —
of Almighty God, it has issued; it may not be inappropriate or
uninteresting to inquire into, and consider, the principles on Concluding

remarks on
the Home

which this administration, so greatly successful, has been con-
ducted, and to furnish a more particular account of the parties admini
on whom, from time to time, the responsibility of this adminis- t[je*s °_°
tration has devolved. ciety.

It may, indeed, be thought that this reference to the So-
ciety's system of administration should rather have been
postponed till the whole of its foreign operations had passed
under review ; but it must be recollected that these foreign
operations of the Society, so far as they were direct, were
carried on under instructions received from home, and were
thus only an extension and exposition of the home policy.
On the other hand, the operations of Foreign Societies were,
for the most part, subjected to a separate jurisdiction and
management, over which the British Society could exercise

HISTORY OF TnE

HOME.

Ch.XVIII.

1854.

Its govern-
ing prin-
ciples ;

Simplicity
of object,
and Catho-
licity of
spirit.

Simplicity
of object :

The circu-
lation of
the Scrip-
tures
without
note or
comment.

only a friendly and iinautlioritative control. It is necessary
to keep this latter remark in nn'nd, in order to a clear and just
judgment of the Society's administrative action.

Let us proceed, then, to consider the principles of the So-
ciety's administration, in the practical application of Avhich it
has met with so much success. Its general object would of
course be the same as that of any other Religious or Bene-
volent Institution, namely, to effect the greatest amount of
good within the department alloted to it, in subserviency to
the glory of God. The specific principles of its administration
may be characterized in two words, " singleness " and " catholi-
city." The one single object of the Society has been steadily
and exclusively kept in view ; and the measures adopted in
promotion of that object have been liberal and unsectarian.

Has the Society invariably acted on these principles ? it may
be asked. Such a question may intimate a doubt or sus-
picion ; or it may simply arise from the desire of information.
In either case it behoves the faithful historian to furnish, as
far as may be, the facts on which his conclusions are founded.

The circulation of the Apocrypha by the Society, which at
one time partially obtained abroad — never at home — was
represented as an infringement on the singleness of aim in its
administration ; and it is admitted that it seemed a departure
from its formally expressed object. But it must be borne in
mind, that however apparently clearly defined, those who
advocated or defended the measure, maintained that some
ambiguity, after all, attached to the rule that the " Holy Scrip,-
tures " were to be " without note or comment." It was not so
indisputable, it was pleaded, whether the term " Holy Scrip-
tures " should be taken in a strict, and not also in an eccle-
siastical sense. The " ecclesiastical Bible," among almost all
the Reformed Churches, not excepting the Church of Eng-
land, as well as in the Greek and Latin Churches, was found
to include the Apocr^-phal writings ; and therefore, it was
argued, where the prejudices of the people led them to insist
on the "ecclesiastical Bible," the concession might lawfully be
made. This pleading, we have seen, was overruled, and, as
we think, rightly; yet it would be surely uncharitable to say
that a violation of the rule was intended, or thought lightly of.

BRITISH AND FOKEIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 273

or that either partj was unimpressed with the importance HOME.

of simplicity of aim in the administration of the Society. ^-.^ XVIII.

There haye not been wanting temptations to depart from —
this principle of singleness in conducting the affairs of the So-
ciety. Questions haye, from time to time, arisen, of the Hence the
greatest social and religious interest, in which at least an ?T^^^
expression of opinion, if not also correspondent action, on the implicate
part of the Society, has seemed to be imperiously called for, "j^^^^ ™ ^^j.

and often has been earnestly sousht. All these questions move-
T , I " ^ ■ t . ments ;

bore, more or less, on the unrestricted or more extensiye

circulation and use of the Scriptures; for instance: — The such as the
introduction of Christianity into India — the Abolition of Slavery" ^
the Slaye Trade and of Slayery — Ciyil and Religious Liberty education,
— general Education — the Bible Monopoly. In the first
case aboye alluded to, the Society's interference might seem
to haye been especially called for and justified ; for it inyolyed
the yery existence of the Society's work, and that, too, in one
of its most important departments, throughout the Indian
empire. Not only had there been the public act of "with-
drawing the patronage of the Goyernment from the translation
of the Holy Scriptures," but there had been, also, equally
pubUc "attempts made to suppress the translation of the
Scriptures entirely,"* and these measures found adyocates and
upholders among influential parties at home.

On this occasion the proceedings of the Society, as has been
already shown, were defended and supported by Lord Teign-
mouth, ^Ir. Owen, Dr. Buchanan, and other friends of the
Institution ; and what was the ground chiefly taken by them ?
It was " the undeviating adherence of the Society to the funda-
mental principle of its Constitution, and the professed object of
all its operations — the circulation of the Holy Scriptures."
True to this exclusiye principle of action, the Society itself^
in its collectiye capacity, took no share whateyer in the con-
troversy which engaged so much of the public attention. To
use the somewhat eulogistic language of Owen; " In that spirit
of dignified moderation which has ever marked its character,
it pursued its coiu^se with unruffled calmness through all the

* See Owen's History, vol. i. p. 362.
T

274

HISTORY OF THE

HOME.

Cu.XVIII.

1S54.

I3ut its
chief sup-
porters,
inilivi-
dually,
active and
earnest in
these
move-
ments.

The other
principle,
practical
Catholicity.

vicissitudes of this painful trial ; manifesting neither dis-
quietude during the conflict, nor exultation in the event."

But why did the conductors of the Society thus steadily,
and, as some might think, pertinaciously adhere to the one
single purpose they had in view ? They were Christian men ;
most of them eminent for their rank and standing in the re-
spective communions which they represented ; they were men
of enlarged philanthropy: could they be indifferent to the
many and urgent claims of suffering, oppressed, degraded,
unenlightened humanity around them? Could a Teignmouth,
a Thornton, a Grant, be indifferent to the state of India ?
Could a Wilberforce, a Babiiigton, a Macaulay, be unmindful
of the wants of the slave? Could a Birkbeck, a William
Allen, a Robert Steven, forget the cause of general edu-
cation ? No. The men who, for a long series of years, have
administered the affairs of the Bible Society, were never in-
different to, or unmindful of, other interests and other
claims. They were among the foremost and most promi-
nent in every enterprise of benevolence and Christian charity ;
but, in the Bible Society, they were men of one purpose, of
one aim, emphatically " men of one Book." It was as if this
sentence had been continually held up to them when sitting at
the Board of deliberation, *' Let thine eye be single :" and was
not the course thus pursued, their wisdom, as well as their
duty ; has it not, under God, mainly contributed to the safety,
stability, and prosperity of the Institution? If those at
the helm had steered with a wavering hand, who can say
whither the vessel might not have been drifted ?

The other leading principle, carefully kept in view, and
sedulously acted upon, in the administration of the affairs of the
Society, has been that of catholicity — practical catholicity.
TheFe is no doubt that the Society was constructed with a
view to enlarged confederation. For this purpose its object
was simplified, and made one ; for this purpose its funda-
mental laws weVe so framed, as to admit of the co-working of
all who should be friendly to that one object. "Compre-
hension without compromise" may be said to have been its
motto ; and as compromise was never to be admitted, so com-
prehension was never to be lost sight of. As its basis and

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 275

constitiition were catholic, such also was its rule of operation HOME.

^ohe. , . , 111 Ch.XVIII.

In accordance with these views, those to whom the acl- —
ministration of the Society's affairs has been entrusted, have '^'^ •
ever sought, not only to preserve its catholicity intact, but
also to render it prominent — a thing not to be encroached
upon, on the one hand ; and on the other hand, not to be con-
cealed or disowned.

And they have thus acted, under the firm and full con- Christian

viction, first, that the catholicity thus set forth, and to be ^^H^^^^

contended for, is in itself legitimate and right, — and secondly, compro--
, 1 . IT 1 . . "^ . . 1 ,• niise.

that this catholic comprehensiveness, m constitution and action,

is indispensable to the full working out of the Society's de-
sign. Nothing latitudinarian is implied in the fellowship of the
Society, rightly understood ; for he who joins it renounces
nothing, and he commits himself to nothing beyond the
simple circulation of the Scriptures. Nothing less than such
a comprehension is sufficient ; for the work of the Society is
great ; the union of all is demanded — of all parties, persuasions,
communions, by whom the Bible is revered ; and the combined
action of all is little enough for the great end contemplated.
Acting, therefore, under the conviction that catholicity is both
praiseworthy and most important, the conductors of the Society
have done their best to administer faithfully, in accordance
with this grand principle.

Hence the resistance to every attempt to alter the Consti- Resistance
tution of the Society; the most considerable of which was that ^jarrowing
made about the year 1830, by those parties who afterwards the Con-
instituted and organized the Trinitarian Bible Society. This, "the Society.
as will be recollected, consisted in an effort, prolonged and
strenuous, to establish a doctrinal test, with a view to
the exclusion of certain specified parties, and as an essential
preliminary to the introduction of a united devotional exer-
cise. This attempt was resisted on the ground of its striking
at the Society's catholicity.

Hence, also, a similar resistance to every attempt to evade
(so to express it) the constitution of the Society ; as when the
proposal was made and urged, at the period of the Apo-
cryphal controversy, that the Society should entirely withdraw
T 2

1854.

276 HISTORY OF THE

HOME, from all its continental alliances, and should carry on no part
Cu.XVIII. of i^s foreign work except through the medium of evangelical
Protestantism ; and as when, at different times, and in dif-
ferent places at home, plans of sectional action have been sug-
gested, which, leaving untouched the Parent Society itself,
should yet, beyond its immediate limits, allow Churchmen to
act without Dissenters, and Dissenters without Churchmen,
by the formation of separate Associations, and the institution
of separate funds. Now all such proposals and plans have
been discountenanced, on the ground of their being a vir-
tual departure from the Society's catholicity. Individual and
congregational aid has indeed been gratefully received from
any quarter, but no associated effort has been acknowledged
and treated as, strictly speaking, auxiliary, in which the
principle of comprehension has not been, in theory at least,
required and provided for. This has arisen, not from the
absence, or the underrating, of conscientious differences and
preferences on the part of the administrators of the Society ; by
no means ; but, it may be repeated — from the deep conviction
that the catholicity of the Society is at once its strength and
efficienc}^, as well as its glory; that the elements of which
this catholicity is composed, might be much more easily
scattered than brought back again ; and that whatever incon-
veniences may at times have resulted, the union which the
Society sanctions is too valuable in itself, and has been pro-
ductive of too much that is good and pleasant, to allow of its
being deliberately disturbed or declined.

Practical Having thus fflanced at some of the leading principles of

work of the ,„,^, i-. • iii in

Society's the Society s admmistration, let us now look at the work or

adminis- administration itself. Nothing, it might be thought, could

be easier or more simple than to administer the affairs

of a Society whose object is so clearly defined, and, at

the same time, so limited. It has only to " circulate more

widely the Holy Scriptures without note or comment." This

is its sole business and work. What room is there here for

complexity or difficulty ? Let us see.

We need not now speak of the measures required to keep

up an interest in favour of the Society, to maintain its

efficiency, and replenish its funds ; though it may be readily

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 277

supposed that in this, much thought, and care, and practical HOME,

wisdom are needed. Cu.XVUl.

Let us restrict our attention to the distinctive and proper —
work of the Society — the circulating of the Holy Scriptures.

This work consists of two parts — the providing the books vidhig'^''"

for circulation, and their actual distribution when thus pre- supply of

Scriptures,
pared. and their

It is evident that the books must be provided before they effectual

,---,.., , , . , . ,. 1 IP distribution

could be distributed ; and m this preparative work, much oi through

administrative responsibility is involved. *^^^ v/oM.

Had the English Scriptures only, been called for, the task
would have been comparatively easy; for all parties had
agreed in the use of the authorised English version, and
the authorised printers were ready to supply them according
to order. The chief practical difficulty here, arose from
the demand being much greater than the two Universities The vast
(the authorised Printers,) were prepared to meet. But this '^™^gj ^f
obstacle, we have seen, was overcome by the King's Printer Enghsh
being induced to embark largely in the work, and all the
parties concurring in increasing their means of production.
Still much remained to be done in improving the quality of
the books, as well as reducing their cost ; and any one who
will take the trouble of comparing the English Scriptures at
present issued by the Society, with those which were in use
at an early period of its existence, whether as regards paper,
printing, or binding, will be convinced that great pains must
have been taken to procure such a result : and it is but due
to those gentlemen who, as a Sub-Committee, took charge
of this part of the Society's work, and especially to the De-
positary, who for many years acted under them, to say, that
no small part of the credit of this marvellous improvement
belongs to them.

But the Society had not to travel beyond the boundaries
of the United Kingdom, to find that the Scriptures in other
languages besides the English, were required. There
were the Welsh, the Gaelic, the Irish, the Manx, to say
nothing of the French for the Channel Islands; in all these
languages the Scriptures had to be provided, and in none of
them was there a version of equal authority with the English, or

liJ54.

278 HISTORY OF THE

HOME, at least, with an authority for its use in an equal degree known
Ch.XVIII. ^^^^ defined. It will be recollected, that one of the earliest contro-
versies in which the Society was engaged, related to the text of
the Welsh Scriptures, and it required all the tact and prudence
of the President, and others of the Directors, to get the matter
amicably adjusted. There was less difficulty with the other
versions named ; but even with respect to these, much cor-
respondence had to be carried on with different parties, and it
was long before the measure of printing the Irish Scrip-
tures at all, could be brought to bear.
Scriptures Then arose the question of providing the Scriptures in
m foreign foreign languages, and the complexity and difficulty became
greatly increased. Inmost of the principal languages of Europe,
translations of the Sacred Scriptures were found to exist ; in
many of them, more than one version, as in the French,
variety of ^^^® German, the Italian, the Spanish, the Portuguese; in
versions. some of them, several versions. Were these versions to be
printed indiscriminately, or was a selection to be made ? If
selected, by whom and on what principle ? Then, again, some
of them were Protestant versions, and some were by Roman
Catholics. The Society thought only, at first, of printing Pro-
testant versions ; but it was soon found that Roman Catholics
preferred, as was natural, versions made by members of their
own communion. Nor was this always a mere matter of pre-
ference. Ecclesiastical authority, perhaps, had spoken both on
the one side, and the other, and sometimes the civil authority
too. If it had been ruled that the best only, according to intrinsic
merit, should be taken, — how Avas this to be determined ? — and
even if settled to its satisfaction by the Society at home, how
were foreign Churches to be brought to yield to what would be,
to them, a foreign decision ? As to altering and amending
any other versions, or substituting new ones in their place,
the Society was formed for no such purpose, nor was it con-
stituted with a view to such services; neither had it an
apparatus at hand for such work.

The course which the Society actually did adopt, has been
already stated and explained; but it Avas a course adopted
only as the result of nuich anxious deliberation and inquiry ;
and even, after long and successful experiment, it has had to

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 279

be maintained in the face of opposition, and obloquy, and mis- HOME.

apprehension. ChXVIII.

But the complexity and the difficulty became greater still, —

when the Scriptui*es, if circulated at all, had to be provided in

languages in which no version whatever existed, or existed Labour of

only in fragments or portions. Such was the case with some testing,and

•^ ^ _ ■•■ determiu-

even of the Continental vernacular languages ; such as the ing on the

Modern-Greek, the Turkish, that of some of the Turkish Sns.°^

provinces (Wallachia, Bulgaria, &c.), as well as that of several

of the more northern tribes of Europe and Asia. Such was

still further the case in more distant parts of the earth,

where commercial or scientific enterprise, or the efforts of

zealous and devoted Christian Missionaries, were bringing to

light new, and strange, and uncouth lano;uaa;es, some of Avhich O^^ligations

° 11 o o ' of the So-

had to be first constructed and written, as well as acquired, ciet5' to the

before any translation could be made. Here, of course, the ^:f'^^i°°^-
Society had to be indebted to others for the prosecution Denomi-
of this part of the work. Particularly does it owe to the "^*'^°'^^'
labours of the excellent, self-denying, and, in many instances,
very learned Missionaries, of the different Missionary So-
cieties, the opportunities and means of introducing the
Scriptures into Heathen and Mahomedan countries. The
character and value of the versions thus obtained had to be
tested in such wise as was practicable ; and much vigilance,
and care, and caution had to be exercised. This most
important department of the Society's administrative work, has
been diligently and minutely watched over by a standing
Sub-Committee, assisted for many years by a learned and com-
petent Superintendent. The variety and amount of labour,
of thought, of anxiety, connected with this part of the Societj-'s
operations, is not easily to be conceived : some idea, however,
may be formed of the time and attention demanded, from the
fact that the Society has printed the Scriptures, in whole or
in part, or has promoted, directly or indirectly, the ti'anslating,
and printing, or distributing of them, in 152 languages and
dialects.* The number of versions (for in some languages
there are more than one version) is 179. Of these, 125 are
translations never before printed.

* Since increased to 156. See Appendix I. Note G.
T 4

280

HISTORY OF THE

HOME.

Ch.XVIII.

1854.

References
to those
who took
part iu the
Society's,
adminis-
tration.

The Presi-
dents of the
Society.

Lord

Teign-

mouth.

Lord
Bexley.

Earl of

Shafte s-
bury.

Vice-
Presidents.

Having thus reviewed some of the leading principles and
chief features of the Society's administration, it may not be
uninteresting to furnish some notice of the administrators them-
selves, whose services (entirely gratuitous, with the exception
of the Secretaries and their Assistants,) have contributed to
place the Society under the deepest and most enduring
obligation.

In the first place we have to name the successive Presidents
of the Institution, Lord Teignmouth, Lord Bexley, and now,
the Earl of Shaftesbury. The part which Lord Teignmouth
took in the administration of the affairs of the Society was by
no means merely nominal and formal. As far as health per-
mitted, he was a regular attendant at the meetings of the
Committee and of the principal Sub-Committees, where by his
high official experience, as well as his dignified urbanity, he
contributed not a little to the orderly and efficient conduct
of business. He largely acquainted himself, also, with the
details of the Society's correspondence, frequently charging
himself with its more important official communications. The
deep interest he took in the Society's transactions, and his
studied acquaintance with them, may be further judged of by
the fact, that the earlier Annual Reports of the Society were
drawn up by His Lordship's own pen.

Lord Bexley shared largely in the qualifications of his
distinguished predecessor : like him, he devoted much time
and personal attention to the business of the Society, both
before he was appointed to the office of President, as well as
afterwards. He, too, brought with him an amount of the
highest official talent and experience, such as rendered his
presence in the Society's counsels (and from these he was
rarely absent,) peculiarly important and valuable.

Of the present noble President it is only necessary to say,
that the Society found him pre-occupied w^ith multitudinous
claims, and therefore had no right to expect from him more
than a limited share in its administration. On all matters
of graver importance, however, it has enjoyed the benefit of
his judgment, experience, and influence.

It was not to be looked for, that the Vice-Presidents of
the Society, who lent to it the sanction of their name and

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 281

general patronage, should take any very active part perso- HOME,
nally in the administration of its affairs. Several of them have qjj x\iii.
been accustomed occasionally to attend the sittings of the —
Committee, and to aid in its deliberations and decisions.
Others have rendered willing and valuable service in the way
of advice and counsel, when appealed to by the officers of the
Society, or called together for consultation, on points of
pressing and peculiar interest, or at periods of grave emer-
gency. It was thus that, in its early days. Bishop Porteus Bishop
served the Society, through the ready access to him, which ^^^''^eus,
Mr. Owen enjoyed as His Lordship's chaplain. It is thus, also,
that in later times. His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury,
and his brother, the Bishop of Winchester, and others of the
episcopal bench, have much befriended the Institution. Nor
have the Lay Yice-Presidents been wanting in this respect :
many noble and honourable names might here be brought for-
ward. It may be sufficient to mention those of the Earl of
Harrowby, the Right Hon. Lord Glenelg, Sir T. Dyke Acland,
and Sir Robert H. Inglis.

The office of Treasurer has been honourably filled by the Treasurers,
, . T , 1 , , . -^ . T H. Thorn-

two highly respected gentlemen, who, m succession, have t^Q^ E^q.^

been elected to that important trust, by the annual suffrage of J- '^^°'^"'

the assembled constituency.

But it is the elected Committee — the six-and-thirty Lay The Com-
Gentlemen, appointed from year to year to transact the busi- j^^/g*So_°*
ness of the Society, on whom the responsibility of its admi- ciety.
nistration chiefly devolves. Great is the confidence reposed
in the Committee by-the laws of the Institution. They have
not only to superintend all the business of the Society, finan-
cial, commercial, and literary; but with them also rests the
appointment of all officers, except the Treasurer, together
with the selection and procuring of suitable patronage, and
the sole right of calling special General Meetings. It will be
evident, that the duties here involved are of no common order.
To tlje manner in wdiich those duties have been discharged,
let the history of the Society bear witness.

Seldom have any body of men, engaged in an enterprise of Dgj^j^Q^
pure benevolence, had a more onerous or difficult task to per- on the time
form. For, as has been shown, though the object of the So- niittee-

282 HISTORY or the

HOME, ciety is so simple, yet its operations are exceedingly varied
Cii.XVIII. ^^^^ diffuse, demanding at all times a large amount of minute
— and laborious attention. Besides which, ever and anon, ques-
tions have arisen, and have had to be discussed and determined,
car^fur ^^ gi'eat interest as affecting the rights, claims, and wants of
delibera- individuals and communities ; questions, not only admitting
^'^^ ' of a diversity of opinion, but on which diverse opinions have

been earnestly and strongly expressed, and diverse modes of
action vehemently contended for. And these differences have
not always been between the friends of the Society and its
opponents, but sometimes also among its own constituents and
supporters. In the midst of these conflicts and contentions,
the Committee had to choose its path,
bearance '^'^^ ^^^^ ^^^ Committee escaped animadversion, in carrying

when their out its convictions and decisions. Its conduct has been severely

procedure . . , . . . i mi i

is mis- scrutinized, its motives impugned and condemned. 1 here have

judged. been periods in its history, when it has been assaulted with an
asperity approaching to virulence ; and to have judged of its
character from the representations of its assailants in some
quarters, one must have supposed that a body of men more in-
competent and faithless could scarcely have been selected. In
the midst of all this, the Committee, the chief administrators
of the Society's affairs, held on their way ; not pretending to
infallibility in their judgment or actions ; not refusing, m all
cases, to alter or cancel their decisions ; but declining to enter
into controversy on their own behalf, and steadily intent on the
business to which they were appointed, and which has always
made a sufficient demand on their time, and thought, and dili-
gent attention.

Indeed, when it is considered of whom the Committee has
principally consisted, — men of business, merchants, bankers,
professional men, — men for the most part full of engagements, —
it is surprising how regular and how large, in most instances,
the attendance of its members has been ; outdone, perhaps, in
this respect, by no other Benevolent Institution. What Ipurs
upon hours have been spent, not only in the meetings of Com-
mittee, but still more in the numerous Sub-Committees, oc-
curring with seldom more than the interval of a week, some-
times of only a few days. It must have been no slight esti-

BRITISH AND FOEEIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 283

mate of the importance of the object and the work, that coukl HOME,
command such an amount of patient, hiborious, costly, and q^^ xyiu
gratuitous self-devotion. —

The retirement of one-fourth of the elected Committee every ^^'^'
year, as required by the Laws of the Society, has exposed it Devoted
to continual changes. Some gentlemen, however, by the re- of severa[^
gularity of their attendance, have either kept their places, or, gentlemen,
after an interval, have resumed them, so as, on the whole, to
have given their services to the Society for ten, twenty, thirty
years; and, in one instance, that of Samuel Mills, Esq., the
office of Committee-member was uninterruptedly sustained,
and honourably and usefully discharged, for a period of forty-
three years, dating from the institution of the Society, in which,
as will be recollected, he took an important part.

Not less worthy of record, is the degree in which the spirit The spirit

of unanimity has pervaded the counsels and decisions of the ofunam-

• TTT-i f nuty winch

Committee. Where free and independent thought prevails, has pre-

there will needs be some differences of opinion, and this has ''^'''^'^ '
not failed to show itself in many matters of detail ; but on all
the most important points of the Society's administration, the
Committee have been singularly found, or brought to be of
" one mind ;" and if some rare instances to the contrary may
have occurred, they have not, it is believed, in any case pro-
duced a disunion or alienation of heart. The feeling of
respectful and brotlierly friendliness, which has ever presided
among the members of the elected Committee, has been justly
the cause of much thankfulness.

This is still the more remarkable and pleasing, when it is and ab-
borne in mind that the Committee is drawn from various de- sJctariau
partments or sections of the Christian community, among feeling,
whom not unimportant differences are known to exist. Gen-
tlemen sincerely and zealously attached to their distinctive
peculiarities, have met together in the council chamber, as Avell
as on the platform of the Bible Society; yet so little have
these peculiarities been allowed to intrude, that, except where
externally indicated — as in the case of members of the Society
of Friends — strangers would rarely indeed be made aware of
their existence ; and instances have actually occurred of o-en-
tlemen who have sat together, and deliberated together on the

284

HISTORY OF THE

HOME.

Cn.XVIII.

1S54.

The Secre-
taries of
the Society.

Owen,
Hughes,
Steiukopff,
and Bran-
dram ;

their spe-
cial and
eminent
quahfica-
tions and
devoted-
ness.

Committee for years, who have been suddenly surprised by
the discovery that they were not members of the same re-
ligious communion. This is doubtless, under God, in great
part to be attributed, to the resoluteness with which the simple
object and business of the Society have been kept in view, to
the exclusion of all extraneous matter.

The courtesy of the Committee, no less than the privilege
granted to them by law, has led to the Secretaries of the
Society taking a very active and prominent part in its ad-
ministration. Since they have been in receipt of an annual
stipend, as well as when their services were gratuitous,
they have always been placed on an equal footing with the
other members at the board of Directors, and have been
allowed to take their full share in its deliberations and dis-
cussions ; nor has there ever been wanting an urbane and re-
spectful treatment of their opinions.

But it is, of course, in the executive department, that the
services of the Secretaries have chiefly been called for and
rendered, in carrying out, by correspondence or otherwise, the
resolutions and decrees of the Committee, in superintending
generally the Society's work, and watching over its interests.
On them, too, it has in no small degree devolved, especially
in the earlier periods of the Society's history, to advocate its
claims at Public Meetings, and to explain and defend its prin-
ciples. The responsibility involved in these various branches
of service has been great, and the personal amount of thought,
anxiety, and labour not inconsiderable. The three Secretaries
on whom this responsibility first rested, Owen, Hughes, and
Steinkopff, were eminently fitted for the task assigned them ;
particularly that part of it, which consisted in bringing out and
vindicating the claims of the Society before the public, and in
awakening attention to a movement which was then a com-
parative novelty. To the talent, zeal, and success of these gen-
tlemen, the early records of the Society bear ample and ho-
nourable testimony. Mr. Brandram, the second Clerical
Secretary, was also a man of no common order. Few individuals
ever brought into the service of a Public Institution a larger
share of constitutional and mental energy, or of steady, un-
tiring, persevering, laborious effort. The writer, who for seven-

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 285

teen years shared with him the honours and toils of office, HOME,
would feel culpable did he not record his deep sense of the q xviii
obligations of the Society to his much-esteemed colleague and —

f' • J 1854.

riend.

While thus adverting to the executive administration of Assistant
the Society, there are other parties who ought not to be passed ^^'^p-
over in silence. The Assistant-Secretaries and Depositaries
have been ever found keenly alive to the interests of the In-
stitution, and have promoted those interests with a watchful-
ness, earnestness, and fidelity, which no consideration of mere
pecuniary emolument could have commanded. Much, too, has
devolved on the respective Editorial Superintendents, whose Editorial
labours, little known to the public, cannot be too highly ap- ^g^^g"^g"
predated. How much translations, and translators, have been
indebted to these labours could not easily be told.

We must also mention, as among the most useful and
efficient of the Society's officials, its formal and accre-
dited Agents, both Domestic and Foreign. The value of
their labours comes forth in every page of the Society's
history. They have chiefly had to do with the practical part —
the working, so to speak, of the Society's administration ; the
actual executing and carrying out, in application and detail,
of those schemes, and plans, and movements, which have been
suggested, sanctioned, and resolved on by the deliberative
wisdom of the Directors.

There still remains another class of Agents deserving of dis- officers

tinct and honourable acknowledgement, who, though not strictly ^^.^ ^°":

== . . ° "^ mittees of

connected with the Parent Institution, or acting under its Auxiiiary

immediate control, yet have rendered it very important, and
even indispensable service : these are the Officers, Committees,
and Collectors of the numerous Auxiliaries, Branches, and
Associations throughout the kingdom, and throughout the
world; friends of the cause, who have voluntarily charged
themselves with duties, and zealously devoted themselves to
labours, by which the objects and interests of the Society have
been extensively and most materially promoted. To the effi-
cient and constant activity of these Auxiliary Agencies, in
truth, the Parent Society is indebted for the carrying out of
its design in the circulation of the Scriptures through the length

Institu-
tions ;

1854.

and other
lionorary

286 HISTORY OF THE

HOME, and breadth of the United Kingdom, and for that steady in-
Cii.XVIII. crease of its resources, by which it has been enabled to carry
on its extended operations in every quarter of the globe.

Nor would the preceding reference to gratuitous and hono-
rary services be complete, if some notice were not taken of
iiiends of the valuable and very acceptable aid rendered to the cause of
iesocie>. ^j^^ Society by numerous Clergymen, Dissenting Ministers,
and Lay Gentlemen, who have, from time to time, some of
them during a long course of years, attended and acted as re-
presentatives of the Parent Institution, at the Public Meetings
of Auxiliaries and Associations ; in many instances, also, assist-
ing in the formation and organization of new Societies : thus
giving amplitude and energy to that systematic visitation
wdiich has contributed so greatly to the Society's success.
There has been, indeed, a combination of voluntary effort conse-
crated to the service of the Society, or rather to the Bible
cause represented by it, difficult to detail, and much more to
estimate in its full amount and value.

Such, then, have been some of the agencies and means,
the appliances and instruments, by which the Society has been
enabled to attempt, and, through the blessing of Almighty
God, to achieve so much : for let it never be forgotten —
least of all by the friends of the Bible — that creatures and
instruments are that, and that only, wdiich God, in His con-
descension, wisdom, and mercy, is pleased to make them.

BRTTTSn AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 287

HISTORY

OF TUE

BRITISH AND TOIIEIGN BIBLE SOCIETY.

PART 11.

HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY IN ITS FOREIGN
OPERATIONS.

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS.

The Whole World eontemj)lated in theConstituiion and Title, of the
Bible Society — Corresponde7ice loith Foreign Countries co7n-
menced at once — China — First application for 3Iohawk ver-
sion — Division of the Foreign History into Five Parts,
Europe, Asia, ^'c. — Varied nature of the 02)cratio7is in each.

Hitherto we have contemplated the Society prmcipally FOREIGiV.
under one of its aspects, as a British Bible Society. After Introduc-
inquiring into its origin, we have traced its progress, more ^^*^^"
particularly as regards Great Britain and Ireland, thus very Reference
much confining our attention to what may be strictly called cific cha-
the domestic history of the Institution ; a very important part [f ^*" "^
of its history, from the insight it has given into the delibera- ciety'
tivc and administrative movements of the Society, the prin-
ciples on which it has been conducted, the opposition it has
had to encounter, the conflicts and perils througli which it
has passed, as well as from the evidence it has afforded of
the necessity and value, and great success, of the Society's
efforts in extending the benefit of the possession of the Holy
Scriptures amongst all classes in the United Kingdom.

But while thus following the course of the Society nt
home, we have had necessarily and frequently to glance at

Home
history.

288

HISTORY OF THE

FOREIGN.

Introduc-
tion.

The Society
from its
origin de-
signed for
the Whole
World.

Early cor-
respon-
dence with
foreign
countries.

First plans
relating to
China.

its operations abroad. A large part of its deliberations, and
many of its active home measures, have had respect to foreign
countries, or to foreigners in this country ; and several of the
controversies which have shaken the Society to its very base,
have sprung from, and been connected with, its foreign opera-
tions and relations. It was not possible, therefore, nor was it
indeed desirable, to keep wholly out of view its character as
a Foreign, as well as a British Bible Society.

It is now, however, more particularly under its foreign
aspect, that we proceed to contemplate the Society ; for though
we have still to do with it as a British Society, inasmuch as
its seat and its centre is in Britain, and its principal resources
are drawn from British benevolence, it is, as a British Society,
formed, in no small part, for the benefit of foreign countries,
and extending its influence, more or less, over the world, in
accordance with the suggestion of one of its original founders —
" Why not for the world ?" — that we have now to follow its
movements, and record its wide-spread transactions.

Scarcely was the Society formed — its entire organization,
indeed, was not completed — when it addressed itself to the re-
sponsible task it had assumed, of providing the Scriptures for
foreign countries, as well as our own. It was on the 9 th of
April 1804, the Society having been in existence but a few
weeks, when a resolution was come to, to inquire as to the
most ready and effectual means of obtaining a regular and
competent supply of the Holy Scriptures in the English,
Welsh, and Irish languages ; and on the same day, it was de-
termined immediately to commence a foreign correspondence,
in order to the promotion of the Society's object abroad ; and
steps were taken, without delay, for concerting a plan of
amicable and effective communication with foreign countries.

While thus occupied, circumstances occurred which will
be hereafter more fully detailed,* which drew the attention of
the Directors to the consideration of China ; and though the
measures then suggested were productive of no immediate good
effects, they formed the earliest link in that chain of opera-
tions which has since been extended through so many regions

See China.

BRITISH AND FOEEIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 289

of the East; whilst it is a fact replete with interest, especially FOREIGN,
as connected with the extraordinary movements since made ijjtroduc-
on its behalf, that this far distant empire, then so little known, tion.
should have been the first to introduce its claim to the newly-
formed Society — the first among all the foreign nations of the
earth, to engage its specific regard.

The attention thus early drawni to the subject of the Chinese
Scriptures, led to the appointment of a Sub-Committee, at first
denominated the " China," and afterwards, more generally, the
" Oriental" Sub-Committee, which continued to exist, by Oriental
annual appointment, for a number of years, and greatly con- mittee.
tributed to the order and efficiency of the Society's labours in
the East.

It was under the direction of this Sub-Committee that,
in July, 1804, a correspondence was opened with gentle- ^^'^■^•
men in India, informing them of the establishment of the
British and Foreign Bible Society, and requesting their com-
munications respecting the best means of promoting the objects
of the Institution, with regard to the Eastern languages.

Before this, however (viz. in April 1804), measures were
taken for procuring more precise information, than had then
been obtained, on the extent to which Bibles were wanted and
sought for in Switzerland, Germany, and Denmark, as well as
in other parts of the Continent.

It may be interesting to specify the names of some of those
parties, to whom the above application was made, and whose
correspondence laid the basis of the Society's operations in
Europe.

These individuals were, Mr. Tobias Kiesling, a merchant First Con-
of known piety and philanthropy in Nuremberg; the Rev. Cor^r'e-^^
Dr. Knapp, Director of the Orphan House and Canstein Bible spondents
Institution at Halle, in Saxony ; Professor Druck, Librarian ciety.
to the Elector (afterwards King) of Wiirtemberg; the Rev. Dr.
Hertzog, first Professor of Divinity and Librarian at Basle,
in Switzerland ; and the Right Rev. Bishop Ball, at Copen-
liagen. To these were added the following individuals and.
Societies, viz. : Professor Young, of Heidelberg ; the Rev.
J. J. Hess, the Antistes (or Superior) of the Zurich Clerg}^ ;
the Rev. Messrs. Wyttenbach, Falkheisen, andHiiber, Clergy-
u

290

HISTORY OF THE

INTRODUC-
TION.

Mode of as-
sistance
adopted by
the So-
ciety.

FOREIGN, men of cUstingiiislied character in some of the principal towns
of Switzerland ; the Basle Religious Society (of which Mr.
SteinkopflP had formerly been Secretary); and the Fuhnen
Society, in Denmark, having for its professed object " to extend
the influence of pure and vital Christianity by the dispersion
of religious tracts in Denmark and Norway." Such were the
parties selected, in the very dawn of the Institution, as
channels of communication with the European continent :
it has been presumed that the reader would be gratified by
seeing them distinctly enumerated, as he will hereafter find
them connected, in a greater or less degree, with the most
active and successful of the Society's proceedings in that di-
A^ision of the world.

It was also at this early period that the design was con-
ceived, of holding out encouragement to the formation of Bible
Societies, in preference to granting immediate relief by limited
and merely temporary supplies. The first sum voted was
£100, to encourage the formation of a Society at Nuremberg,
for the benefit of Germany, which event took place on the
10th of May 1804. Thus speedily did the Society begin to
germinate and extend its shoots to other lands. This was the
first Foreign Society, instituted in connection with the British
and Foreign Bible Society.

Among the earliest communications, elicited by the inquiries
instituted throughout different parts of the continent of
Europe, was one which at first excited the greatest suspicion,
but, in the issue, was eminently gratifying. This was a letter
from a Roman Catholic Clergyman in Swabia, — the first indi-
cation on the part of Roman Catholics, of a desire to co-
operate in the distribution of the Scriptures, and which opened
a way for that connection with them, which afterwards was
cultivated to a considerable extent, with much harmony and
beneficial effect.*

The correspondence thus opened with different parts of the
European continent, soon elicited information upon the subject
to which it was directed, and brought back the most gra-
tifying assurances of approbation, and of a cordial disposition
to co-operate in the design of the Institution.

* For copious extracts of tins letter see Owen, Vol. I. p. 110, &c.

Cordial re-
sponse
from the
Continent.

BRITISH AND FOEEIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 291

Intelligence of this nature was received from Nuremberg, from FOREIGN.
Stuttgart, from Stockholm, from Berlin, from Holland ; but it jjjtroduc-
is remarkable how little was known in some of these countries tion.
at that time, as the reader will have seen was the case also in General
our own, of the real state of the people, as to the want of the ignorance

<1S to tllG

Sacred Scriptures. Thus correspondents from Stockholm destitution
(the Society pro Fide et Christiayiismo) write " that owing to tj^g^t
the gracious and paternal care of the Government of their
country, ^s well as from the gospel light which had generally
spread among individuals, no want existed of that holy Book,
which contains in it the fountain of all knowledge, bringing
salvation and producing goodwill among men ; and moreover
that Bibles in the Finland and Lapland languages were cur-
rently printed at Stockholm, and distributed, either gratis or
at reduced prices, by Societies formed for that benevolent
purpose." And a minister from Holland writes, " With us
there is, thank God, no scarcity of Bibles." These statements,
though doubtless believed by the reporters to be con-
scientiously exact, strangely contrast with the real facts of the
case, as will be seen as this history proceeds. Thousands and
tens of thousands of copies of the Scriptures have since been,
and up to this time are, yearly required for the supply of these
very countries.

The first application of the funds of the Society for printing Applica-
a portion of the Scriptures in a foreign language, under its own Mohawk
immediate direction, w^as made in favour of the Mohawk, the Version,
language of one of the North American tribes, or " nations :"
2000 copies of St. John's Gospel, in Mohawk and English,
were at this time ordered to press.

A circumstance arose in the course of this transaction, which First il-
afforded the conductors of the Society an early opportunity of of the So-
bringing their principles to the trial. The translator, de- ciety'srulc,
sirous to conciliate the attention of the Mohawks, and prepare « Notes
their minds for appreciating the treasure wnth which the ^g^^g ™"
British and Foreign Bible Society had supplied them, drew
up a short introductory address in IMohawk and English,
and, without consultation, prefixed it to the work. In this
state six copies were bound, and presented as specimens of
binding to a Sub-Committee, whose office it was to superintend
u2

292

HISTORY OF THE

Introduc-
tion.

FOREIGN, tliis department of the Society's service. Immediately upon
the discovery, a resolution was passed that the portion which
contained the introductory address should be removed from the
copies already bound ; and that it should in no case be united
with the text in such copies as should hereafter be issued
under the sanction and responsibility of the Society. As the
record of this determination evinced the promptitude and
firmness, with which the first approach to deviation from the
fundamental laws of the Society was resisted, it may be satis-
factory to the reader to see the terms in which it was expressed.

" An Address to the Six Nations having been written by the
translator, and printed uniformly with the Gospel, your Sub-
Committee have ordered the same to be wholly separated from
the translation of the Gospel, and not in any instance to be
bound up with it; it being incompatible with a fundamental
principle of this Institution to attach to the Scriptures any
additional matter whatever."

In justice to the translator it should be stated, that the Ad-
dress contained no other sentiments than those which every
Christian might be expected to approve : there was throughout
it an interesting simplicity, characteristic of the kindest dis-
position and the purest principles.

The above is a brief sketch of the manner in wdiich the
field of foreign operations first opened itself before the So-
ciety. These operations became, by degrees, and not slowly,
so multifarious and extensive, that in order to a distinct
and satisfactory view of them, it will be necessary to consider
them in parts or portions ; and as the field of these operations
is the World, no better mode seems to present itself, in following
out the design of this history, than to take the four great divisions
of the earth in order — for into each of them the labours of the
Society have more or less extended — and to view successively
the work of the Society in Europe, Asia, Africa, and America,
together with those numerous islands and countries in the
Western and Southern Oceans, which are accustomed to be in-
cluded in this general and popular division.

Of these four great divisions, Europe will be found to have
received by far the largest share of the Society's attention.
This was natiiral; — for although most of the countries of Europe

Method of
division
adopted in
this part
of the his-
tory.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 293

already possessed the Holy Scriptures in their own languages, FOREIGN,
and in all of them the Bible is more or less professedly held in Jntroddc-
respect, yet the supply of the Scriptures was found to be sadly '^''^n-
defective. It is proposed to divide the history of the Society's j^^^^ ^
labours, in that part of the Continent to which its efforts
have been chiefly directed, namely. Central and Northern
Europe, into three periods ; the first extending from the
origin of the Society to the general peace in 1814; the next,
from the latter date to the period of the Apocryphal contro-
versy ; and the third, from the time of the Apocryphal con-
troversy, through the remaining period of twenty-five years, to
which this history extends. The countries in the Southern
part of Europe, including Spain, Portugal, Italy, and especially
Greece, will become the subject of separate and continuous con-
sideration. It may be convenient to view the Turkish provinces
in Europe, in connection with the Turkish empire generally,
and with all those operations in the Turkish dominions which
had the shores of the Mediterranean for their base.

Asia is chiefly remarkable, so far as the Bible Society is Asia.
concerned, for the large number of new translations, effected
into its numerous languages and dialects. The labour and the
honour of these translations, did indeed very much devolve on
others ; but the Society had the privilege of countenancing and
assisting these versions by liberal grants of money, and by
afterwards printing them at its own cost, and circulating
them to a wide extent. In subsequent years, the Society has
emulated these noble efforts of the first Translators, by
other undertakings of the like nature in India. In this
department of the work, much valuable co-operation has been
rendered by the affiliated Bible Societies, established in the
different Presidencies in British India, and the adjacent regions,
whose varioiTS and disinterested labours will come under
review in due course. China will present a history of its own.

Africa contributes least towards the records of the So- Africa,
ciety's work ; yet even Africa is not without its bright and
productive spots. The western coast of Africa has called for,
and welcomed many grants of the Scriptures, and it has also
furnished several interesting specimens of new translations.
South Africa, in each of these respects, presents an equal, if

294

HISTORY OF THE

IXTRODUC-
TION.

America.

North,

FOREIGN, not greater claim to notice ; and even Eastern Africa has not
been altogether barren of fruit.

America may be regarded as the second home of the Bible
Society. The great "American Bible Society," established
in the United States, with its numerous and important
Branches, though exhibiting a perfectly distinct culture and
growth, yet sprang originally from the British Bible Society ;
and w hile now rising to an honourable and not unsuccessful
rivalry, still acknowledges and claims its relationship to the
Parent Institution. The Societies in British North America,
with their offshoots in the provinces in every direction, are
more strictly connected with the Institution at home, and
mixed up with its history.

South America, throughout its wide extent, presents but a
cheerless and disappointing retrospect. It has been visited
and explored again and again ; but hitherto the results to be
reported, as. it regards the successful distribution of the Scrip-
tures, are lamentably small.

The islands of the Western Ocean will supply much that
is interesting, especially as connected with that memorable
event, the Emancipation of the Negroes.

No part of the Society's wide sphere of labour, will be found
to furnish more that is gratifying and encouraging, and even
marvellous, than will be presented by the progress of the
Bible among the clusters of beautiful islands in the Great
Pacific ; while the regions of Australia, will bring up, and
close, with much that is hopeful and enlivening, the extended
scene which is gradually to pass before us.

Such is a brief outline of that part of the w^ork on which
we now enter. The whole narrative can be but an outline.
The limits assigned to it will not admit of its being more than
a sketch of the wdde and crowded field of operation, that is
to come under review. Yet even such a sketch, brief and
imperfect as it needs must be, will be found to compre-
hend some of the most remarkable and gracious movements of
Providence among the various nations of the earth in these
latter days. How great an honovir bestowed upon our native
country, to have been, in any degree, instrumental in bringing
these events to pass !

South.

West
Indies.

Islands of
the Pacific.

Australia.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 295

EUROPE.

ARRANGEMENT IN RESPECT TO COUNTRIES AND TO
DISTINCT PERIODS.

uto
countries
and pe-

As tlie European field is so large, comprehending sucli a eueOPE
number of Kingdoms and Countries, into which the operations of —
the Society were introduced and multiplied, it has been judged nient iu^
convenient to make a threefold geographical division of it, viz,
into Central, Northern, and Southern Europe, as follows : — rk>ds

Central Europe — including Germany, Prussia, Switzer-
land, France, Holland, &c.

Northern Europe — including Sweden, Norway, Denmark,
Iceland, Kussia, and Finland, &c.

Southern Europe — Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, with
other comitries bordering on the Mediterranean.

That portion of the history of the Society's operations,
which relates to Central and Northern Europe, we propose to
review, as has been already stated, in Three Periods : the first
extending from the institution of the Society to the termination
of the great European war, a period of about ten years — 1804
to 1814; the second, commencing with the opening of the
Continent at the establishment of peace, and terminating with
the issuing of the Society's Apocrypha regulations, in con-
sequence of which the relation of the Society to the various
Continental Societies was changed : this division includes a
period of about fifteen years — from 1814 to 1829; the third.

296 HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE, embracing the remaining period of twenty-five years — from
1829 to 1854, during which the Society carried on its work on
the Continent chiefly by its own Separate Agencies.

It may not be found practicable to adhere very rigidly to
this sectional view of the work ; the operations of the Society
being often found to commingle, and to include different
provinces in the same measures. There may, however, it is
conceived, be some advantage in viewing one compartment
at a time, although the same or similar transactions may have
thus to pass in review before us at intervals in different
countries.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 297

EUEOPE.

CENTRAL AND NORTIIEEN.

CHAPTER I.

OPERATIONS OF THE SOCIETY FROM ITS INSTITUTION TO
THE TERMINATION OF THE GREAT EUROPEAN WAR.

1804—1814.

SECTION I.

CENTRAL EUROPE.

Difficult covirnunication icith the Continent. — Co7-respondence ivith
various places. — Bible Societies formed at Nuremherg. — Alsace
— JRatisbon — Halle. — Visit of Dr. Steinkopff, and formation
of Societies at Basle, Zurich, St. Gall, Stuttgart. —
Grants from the Society — Formation of Societies at Franhfort
— Altona — Preshurg. — Leander Van Ess. — Bible Society at
Berlin — Itoyal sanction — Bohemian Bible — Capture of Berlin.

The political state of Europe, at the period when the Bible EUROPE.
Society was instituted, was but little favourable to the prose- q^" j
cution of its benevolent and peaceful operations. The war 1804-14.
which then raged over the greater part of the Continent, sect. I.
rendered all intercommunication difficult and hazardous. Central.
This was much more the case, as it regarded our own country, 1804.
from the rigidly restrictive and exclusive measui'es, which it Commuui-
was the aim of the enemy to enforce with respect to Great cation with
-r> -^ • 1 u ^^® Con-

Britam and her commerce. tinent

Yet, notwithstanding the obstacles which presented them- "difficult;
selves, means were found, as has been already stated, of yet
opening a correspondence with the friends of religion in dif- achieved,
ferent parts of the Continent, which soon led to the adoption
of active measures for promoting the Society's object.

298

HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE.

CUAP. I.
1804-14.

Sect. I.
Central.

1804.

First Con-
tinental
Society
formed at
Nurem-
berg.

Alsace.

Ratisbon.

The earliest practical result of the above correspondence, was
the establishment of a Bible Society for Germany in the Im-
perial city of Nuremberg, on the 10th of May 1804. This,
it will be recollected, was the first Bible Society instituted in
connection with the British and Foreign Bible Society ; and
one of its first acts, was to put to press an edition of 5000
copies of a Protestant New Testament in the German lan-
guage. One thousand of these were, by the Parent Society,
placed at the disposal of a Roman Catholic clergyman in
Swabia, for distribution, by sale or gift, among the Roman
Catholics in Swabia and Bavaria, with assurances of the sin-
cere disposition of the Society to afford to members of his
communion every degree of aid, consistent with the principles
and means of the Institution. The sum of £100, originally
voted to the Nuremberg Society, with a view to encourage its
formation, was, in the following year, succeeded by a grant of
£200, in aid of the impression of the entire Bible. After
about two years of active and useful labour, this Society was
transferred to Basle, which became thenceforward, for a
time, the principal centre of operations for Germany and the
neighbouring countries.

Among the earliest continental correspondents of the Society,
was the celebrated Pastor Oberlin, minister of a parish in Alsace
containing five villages, and embracing a mixed religious
population of Roman Catholics, Lutherans, Reformed, and
Baptists. An interesting letter from him, given at length by
Mr. Owen,* relating to the distribution of some French and Ger-
man Bibles, which he had been enabled to purchase with
funds supplied from England, shows with what hearty zeal
this eminent servant of God introduced the work of the
Society into his parish. In this letter he gives the names, and
a sketch of the characters, of three excellent and devoted
females in his parish, whom he had selected to receive a
present of the first Bibles distributed.

The zeal of some enlightened Roman Catholics at Ratisbon
having been excited by the proceedings of the Protestants at
Nuremberg, they proceeded to establish a Bible Society in

* Owen Vol. I. p. 151.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 299

tlieir own city, under the direction of Regens Wittman,* EUROPE.
Director of the Ecclesiastical Seminary in that place. It was q^j~ j_
supported by the contributions of Roman Catholics, and was 1804-14.
formed for the express purpose of printing and circvilating the Sect. I.
New Testament among the poor of the Romish persuasion, thou- Central.
sands of whom had never before had an opportunity of reading 1805.
the Scriptiu'es. The copy employed by them was Schwarzel's
translation, without any commentary ; a translation represented
as having been "favourably received, even by Protestants
themselves."

It was immediately after the formation of the Ratisbon So-
ciety, that the following circumstance occurred. The Roman
Catholic clergyman in Swabia, before referred to, having
had voted to him 1000 copies of Protestant Testaments, then
printing at Nuremberg, applied to the Nuremberg Society to
have those copies commuted for an equal number of Catholic
Testaments from Ratisbon. The proposal was at first com-
plied with by the above Society, but was afterwards rescinded
on the interference of some friends in London, who were fear-
ful that the transaction might be misapprehended, and were
also unwilling to commit themselves to a course of action
which they had not fully considered. They therefore united,
in their private capacity, to defray the charge of the 1000
copies.

The Ratisbon Society was active in its labours throughovit
the whole of the period now under review. Being an inde-
pendent Institution, its proceedings do not occupy a large
space in the records of the British and Foreign Bible Society.
It appears, however, that in 1812, when the Foreign Secretary
visited Ratisbon, he found the Society had, up to that time,
printed four or five editions of the New Testament, and had
disposed of 27,500 copies, of which it was stated only 100 had
been gratuitously bestowed.

The Report of the Parent Society for 1814, speaks of this
" zealous and benevolent Society as proceeding Avith great

* The Director's Address, issued on this occasion to Christians of the
Roman Catholic persuasion throug-hout Germany, is found in Owen
vol. i. p. 173, and is described by him as "pecuHarly simijle, liberal, and
tlevout."

300 HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE, spirit in printing the German Testament, whicli meets with so
Chap I. I'apid a sale, that the Society can scarcely keep pace with the
1804-14. eager and constantly increasing demands."
Sect. I. In 1821, the Ratisbon Society is stated to have printed

Central. 60,000 copies, and in 1822, the number amounted to 65,000.
1803. After this, the Institution is not referred to in the Reports of
the Parent Society. It is believed that it has long since been
extinct.

Bible In- We may here introduce some notice of an Institution at Halle,

Halle.°" ^' ^^^® Canstein Bible Institution, which had done much towards
the supplying of the Scriptures, long before the British and
Foreign Bible Society existed. Dr. Knapp, Director of the
Orphan House in the city of Halle, in reply to the overture
made to him by the Society in 1804, furnished the following
interesting account of it.* It appears that it was founded in
Halle, in 1710, by Charles Hildebrand, Baron de Cantstein.
At his decease, the care of it devolved upon the celebrated
Professor Franke, founder and director of the Orphan House
in that city. During the ninety-five years the Society had
subsisted, above three million copies, either of the whole Bible
or of the New Testament, had been printed in different lan-
guages, and dispersed, not only throvighout most of the European
countries, but even through different parts of America, and the
Russian colonies in Asia : many thousand copies had, through
this medium of dispersion, been distributed gratuitously to the
poor ; and there was evidence of the most unquestionable nature,
that a signal blessing had attended the whole undertaking.

Dr. Knapp, in reply to further inquiries as to the places in
which the Scriptures, in the several languages printed at the
Canstein Institution, were wanted, and the mode in which the
British and Foreign Bible Society might assist in the distri-
bution of them, furnished much valuable information, which,
in process of time, enabled the Society to form new links of
communication with persons and places to which, but for this
introduction, they might not have found so easy and effectual
an access.

As illustrative of the benefits rendered by this Institution

* For Knapp's Account, in full, see Second Report, Appendix No.
IX., p. 98.

BEITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY.

301

to the general work of Scripture distribution, when that work
— so far as relates to the Bible Society — was still in its in-
fancy, it may be mentioned, that when, in 1806, a delay arose
in getting out an edition of the Bohemian Testament, owing
to the occupation of Berlin by the French army, 3000 copies
were immediately obtained from Canstein ; and it is right to
add, that the Protestants of Bohemia were indebted for this
seasonable and munificent donation to the spontaneous gene-
rosity of a Prussian officer.

In the same year, also, when 400 German Bibles, and 200
Testaments, were required to be sent to German colonists on the
Wolga, the books were immediately supplied from the same
source.

This Institution continued to render essential services to
the cause of Christianity, by means of cheap editions of the
German Bible and Testament. When, in 1812, Dr. Knapp,
and some of his friends, resolved to form themselves into a
Bible Committee, for the distribution of the German Scrip-
tures among the poor in Saxony, a donation of £50 was
awarded them by Dr. Steinkopflf, in the name of the Society,
to encourage them in their undertaking.

It has been already mentioned that the German Bible So-
ciety, originally instituted at Nuremberg, was, in 1806, removed
to Basle, The friends at the latter place, favourable as they
were to the object, did not, in the first instance, think them-
selves possessed of sufficient means, to form and sustain a separate
establishment. It soon, however, appeared that a change of posi-
tion from Nuremberg to Basle, would materially promote the in-
terests and the efficiency of the general system. Basle had many
local advantages, which qualified it, in an eminent degree, for
becoming the seat of a Bible Society. Forming, as it did, the
centre of the German " Religious Society," an establishment
of great celebrity and usefulness, and commanding a very ex-
tensive range of connections with persons of distinguished
piety, both in Switzerland and Germany, it possessed facilities
of communication and of distribution, which, in reference to a
plan for the general dispersion of the Scriptures, would, it was
perceived, be found ijf essential importance. Add to these
considerations, that its reputation for typography and paper

EUROPE,

Chap. I.
1804-14.

Sect. I.
Central.

Basle
made the
centre of
operations
in Ger-
many.

302

HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE.

Chap. I.
1804-14.

Sect. I.
Central.

1807.

New Tes-
tament
for the
Orisons.

Grant
from the
Society.

stood deservedly high ; and that it enjoyed, on that ground,
peculiar advantages for the execution of Biblical works.

Impressed by a candid representation of these circumstances,
the Committee at Nuremberg readily acquiesced in the pro-
position made to them, for removing the German Bible Society
from their own direction to that of their brethren at Basle.
The latter, on their part, announced the transfer, as having
been made with mutual consent and goodwill; and, in an
earnest and animated appeal to the German public, solicited
aid to enable them to bring to maturity the main object of their
Institution, that of furnishing, as speedily as possible, a cheap
impression of the whole Bible.

The difficulty, which existed at this period of the war, of
transmitting any intelligence from the Continent, except
through circuitous and indirect channels, precluded the friends
at Basle, as well as elsewhere, from communicating with
London so frequently as might have been wished. In 1807,
however, the Basle Society contrived to transmit a com-
pendious report, from which it appeared, that they had con-
tinued to labour with undiminished assiduity : the printing of
the New Testament had actually commenced, and the Old
Testament was on the point of being committed to press.

In 1808, only a single letter was received from the Basle
Society ; its contents, however, were interesting and important.
Amidst all the discouragements arising from the severe visita-
tion of poverty and distress, the Society had been enabled to
issue their New Testament, which was received with full ap-
probation, and to complete their Bible, with the prospect of
having a demand created for repeated editions. They also re-
ported, that some active Christians at Basle, had determined
to print an edition of the New Testament for the Grison
mountaineers, among whom the Sacred Scriptures had become
extremely scarce, and in some instances almost unattainable ;
and that they had themselves supplied the Protestants,in different
parts of the interior of France, with a considerable number of
Bibles at reduced prices. In this work, they had been assisted
by a grant of £100, from the British and Foreign Bible So-
ciety. The Committee also encouraged- them to undertake an
edition of the whole Bible in French — a task for which their

BRITISH AND TOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 303

own resources were inadequate — by presenting to them a set EUROPE,
of stereotype plates for the purpose. q^~ j

It ought not to be overlooked here, of how much importance 1804-14.
the Bible Society in Basle had become, as a vehicle of con- Sect. I.
veying the Scriptures, in their own language, to the Protes- Central.
tants in the South of France ; affording the British and 1809.
Foreign Bible Society a neutral and unsuspected medium of g^^.; ^^^
intercourse with France, during the long continuance of those for France,
political circumstances, which precluded it from access to the
inhabitants of that country in every other direction.

In 1809, a further grant of £200 was made to the Basle
Society, to enable them to supply Bibles and Testaments to
the Protestant congregations in Languedoc, and other parts of
France, where the Scriptures formerly sent had been well
received ; many Roman Catholics also requesting copies, and
perusing them with great eagerness and gratitude. It being
also ascertained, that the New Testament, printed for the
mountaineers in the Grisons, had been received with the like
grateful feelings, the sum of £200 was voted, in 1810,
for printing the New Testament in another dialect in use
among the Grisons ; and, at the same time, £300 was granted
to the Basle Society towards printing the Old Testament in
French, and £200 towards an edition of the New Testament
in Italian.

Tow^ards the close of the year 1812, two members of the
Basle Bible Society proceeded as a deputation to Paris, and
w^ere enabled to lay a foundation for a Bible Committee in
that capital. They ascertained that most of the Bibles and Testa-
ments sent to Paris had been dispersed, and had been eagerly
received by Catholics as well as Protestants. It appeared, also,
that the attention paid to the spiritual welfare of the Grisons
had excited a spirit of co-operation, and that an Auxiliary
Bible Committee had been formed at Chur, or Coire, the
capital of the Canton of the same name, by which the printing
of the Romanese Scriptures was likely to be facilitated. Pleasing
testimony w^as given of the acceptableness of the New Testa-
ments, which had been printed in those dialects.

In the year 1812, Dr. Steinkopff, made a visit to the Visit of Dr
Continent. At Basle he had an interview with members 1812.

304 HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE, the Bible Society there, and, in virtue of the powers en-
Chap I tr^^sted to him, presented them with several donations, to

1804-14. encourage them in printing and distributing on a larger scale.
Sect. I. These donations consisted of £300 for printing the Ro-

Central. manese Old Testament ; £300 for gratuitous distribution
1812. of Scriptures among the poor; and £200 in aid of a new
edition of 10,000 German Bibles of portable size; to which
the Committee at home added the sum of £500, for the ex-
clusive purpose of promoting the printing of the Scriptures
in France.

Zurich, In the course of this year (1812), Zurich became the seat of

a Bible Society. Previously to the arrival of Dr. Steinkopff
in this part of Switzerland, the head of the clergy, Antistes
Hess, had, together with the Ecclesiastical Council, directed
an inquiry to be made, through the clergy of that canton, into
the wants of the people with respect to the Holy Scriptures.
The encouragement Dr. Steinkopff was enabled to give, by
the offer of a grant of £250, led to the formation of a Bible
Society, and the adoption of measures for securing a regular
and permanent supply, as well as for meeting the existing
emergency.

St. Gall, In the following year was formed the St. Gall Bible So-

1813. ciety, for the purpose of supplying the Canton of that nanre, as

well the Catholic as the Protestant part of it, with the Holy
Scriptures. Through the medium of a venerable individual,
Mr. Gaspard Steinman, liberal contributions had previously
been raised, and more than 800 Bibles, and 3300 Testaments
from Basle, had been distributed in different parts of this
canton. Among the Catholics, under the direction of the
Vicar-General, Von Wessenberg, more than 20,000 Testa-
ments had been circulated through his diocese ; and, assisted
by the co-operation of several diligent and enlightened clergy-
men of that persuasion, " the Catholics had begun to acknow-
ledge the great value of the Holy Scriptures, and to peruse
them with pleasure and advantage;" and when the Society
was formed, in July 1813, the Vicar-General, within whose
jurisdiction between eighty and ninety out of the one hundred
Catholic parishes in the Canton of St. Gall were situated,
suspended the interdict prohibiting the people from reading

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 305

the Scriptures ; and thus nearly nine-tenths of the Catholic EUROPE,
population throughout the Canton were not only permitted, but chap. T.
encouraged to peruse them. 1804-14.

A new Auxiliary appeared in the course of this year, sect. I.
iinder the denomination of the Wiirtemberg Bible Society. Central.
This Society, which appears to have originated in the en- 1813.
couragement given by the Rev. Dr. SteinkopfF wKen visiting -vvijrtem-
his native country, was regularly formed, in February 1813, terg.
under the sanction of His Majesty the King of Wiirtemberg,
who granted it several privileges,* and placed it under the
superintending care of the Supreme Directory of all schools
and seminaries of education. By a Royal Decree, bearing
date, 16th of February 1813, a number of gentlemen, who
had freely offered their services, were appointed by the King
a Committee of Administration, and the rules and regulations
of the Society were finally settled. Encouraged by the grant
of £500 from the British and Foreign Bible Society, and by
the liberality with which the inhabitants of Wiirtemberg,
though impoverished by the war, came forward with sub-
scriptions and donations, the managers of the Institution pro-
ceeded with alacrity to the discharge of their trust ; and an
edition of the German Bible was put to press, amounting to
10,000 copies of the entire Bible, and 2000 additional Testa-
ments.

Other Societies were formed, or the foundation of them
laid, as the result of Dr. Steinkopflf's visit to the Continent ; as Frankfort,
at Frankfort, Osnabruck, Liibeck, Altona, which will subse-
quently come under more special notice.

This visit of Dr. Steinkopff to the Continent (1812),
undertaken at the request of the Committee, proved highly Valuable
satisfactory. It extended from Gothenburg to Copenhagen, J^rstei'n-
and thence through Germany to Switzerland ; and occupied kopft's
a period of six months. To himself it was attended with no ^gfg.
small risk and peril, owing to the vigilant jealousy of the
French Government; but it had the happy effect of encou-
raging greatly the different Societies on the Continent, in

* Among others, that of freedom of jiostag-e for all letters and i:)arcels,
and the use of a seal.— Report 1815.
X

306

HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE.

Chap. I.
1804-14.

Sect. I.
Central.

1812.

Hungary.
Prcsburn;.

Leander
Van Ess

connection with the British Institution, as well as of promoting
the formation of others ; besides which, the intelligence pro-
cured by him, during this long journey, contributed much
to the future more extended operations of the Society.*

Encouraged by the promise of £500 from the Parent Insti-
tution, a Society was, in 1812, formed at Presburg, under the
patronage of the Baroness de Zay, a Protestant lady of high
distinction and character. Among the Protestant population
of the country, estimated at more than a million and a half, a
most distressing scarcity prevailed of Bibles in the Hungarian
and Sclavonian dialects. The Society commenced its opera-
tions by purchasing Sclavonic Bibles for sale to the poor at a
very cheap rate.

To the British Christian, the following expression of gra-
titude, on the part of the Hungarian Bible Society, must afford
peculiar satisfaction : —

" Our Huss was the faithful disciple and constant follower
of your countryman, WickliflPe. From you the first rays of
the light of Holy Scripture penetrated to us. Now, after a
lapse of four centuries, you are preparing again to confer upon
us this gift, and to lay our gratitude under new obliga-
tions. I say these things from a deep sense of thankfulness,
and all my countrymen will make the same acknowledg-
ment."

Of this Society, however, very little further intelligence ap-
pears to have been received for several following years.

The visit of Dr. SteinkopS" to the Continent introduced
to the Society a name which, for a series of subsequent
years, occupied a prominent place in the records of the cor-
respondence from Germany, and which, though a cloud
gathered round it at last, is associated with too many impor-
tant facts to be wholly passed over.

The Rev. Leander Van Ess, a priest of the Romish Church,
had, together with his brother, and assisted by several Ger-
man divines, produced a translation of the Testament from the
Greek, which some of the first Protestant clergymen at

* For a fuller account of this journey see Report for 1813, and Ap-
pendix.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 307

Dresden and Zurich* concurred, with respectable authorities EUROPE.

amonfij the Roman Catholic literati, in recommending, as ex- —
1 -1 • • 1 . PI 1 • • 1 mi • Chap I.

hibitmg a pure and correct version ottne sacred origmal. Ihis 1804-14.

Catholic professor of divinity (for to that office he had been ^^~ j
recently appointed in the University of Marburg) had pub- Central.
lished a work recommending the free, unfettered, frequent, j^2.
and serious reading of the Scriptures by all ranks, classes, and
conditions of the people. In his opening correspondence with
the Society,t he described the solicitude of the people to ob-
tain the Scriptures as very great, and far exceeding all his
means of supplying them. " It is true," he says, " that the
New Testament is pretty well distributed in our circle ; | but
what are a few copies among so many." " The fields," he
continues, " are more and more ripening for the harvest, by
the increasing oppi'ession of the times. All earthly comforts
are vanishing from the children of men : ill-treated, plundered,
and heavy-laden as they are, their eyes, full of tears, look for
refreshment and comfort towards the realms above, where alone
they are to be foimd. This is the time to work : the hearts of
men, humbled and softened, are more accessible to divine
light and truth : they are opening, like the dry ground that
languishes for the fertilizing shower : their eyes desire to see
the salvation offered to them in the word of God."

And again he urges his suit in the following terms : —
*' For Christ's sake, I entreat you to let me have a number
of our New Testaments for distribution. My sphere of use-
fulness is extending more and more. Many worthy clergymen
of our church join themselves to me, who, with the most
lively zeal for the cause of God, assist me in my endeavours
to do good. My request is for the highest and best gift; even
for the Scriptures of truth, which are able to make men wise
nnto salvation."

The consequence of an appeal, at once so reasonable and so
earnest, was the allotment of £200, to enable this zealous
Catholic to distribute 3000 copies of his Testament, under a con-

* Dr. Reinliard, Chaplain of the Court of Saxony, and the venerable
Antistes Hess, of Zurich.

t See Ninth Eeport, Appendix, p. 4G4,
X It appears he had already distributed nearly 20,000 copies.
X 2 '

308 HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE, ditlon, with which he cheerfully complied, that the few notes ac-
~ coinpanying his own impression, should be struck out of that
1804-14. which was to be printed and circulated at the expense of the
Sect I British and Foreign Bible Society.

Central. In acknowledging this liberal and unexpected aid, he speaks
uns. of a lively desire to read the word of God as increasing
among the Catholic people in the place of his residence, and
all the country round, and of the prejudices of the clergy
against laymen reading the Bible as gradually disappearing.
A similar gratifying testimony was at that time given by the
Rev. Regens Wittman, Director of the Catholic Institution at
Ratisbon ; and a Roman Catholic Clergyman at Munich wrote
to the same effect. Such was the hopeful state of things then,
and for some time afterwards, among the Roman Catholics of
Germany. Would that it had continued !

Shorly after. Dr. Van Ess received a further grant of £300,
and, in 1813, another of like amount; and he subsequently
became more fully engaged in the service of the Society.
Prussia. rpj^g origination of the Bible Society for the Prussian States

Efforts of jg niainlv to be attributed to the active zeal of the Rev. John
Rev. J. ^

.iffiuicke. Jasnicke, Minister of the Bohemian Church in Berlin. En-
Berlin couraged by the proposal of aid from our Society, this worthy
Bible So- pastor exerted himself with so much judgment and perseve-
rance, that, in the year 1 805, the foundation of a Bible Society
was laid in that city, under the direction of some noblemen,
and other persons of great distinction and exemplary character;
and early in the following year, the Institution received the
Sanction of sanction of His Prussian Majesty ;* and the British and Foreign
lWiaf°^ Bible Society added to the sum of £150, previously promised,
a further donation to an equal amount, as an inducement to
the new Society, at that time employed in prhiting the Bohe-
mian Bible, to extend their labours to an impression of the
Polish Bible, the want of which was understood to be severely
and extensively felt.

The establishment of the Berlin Bible Society was, in the
infant circumstances of the British and Foreign Bible Society^
regarded as an acquisition of considerable moment. The

* See Second Report and Appendix, for the correspondence that
passed on tliis occasion.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 309

importance of its situation, the zeal of its directors, and the EUROPE,
authority of the royal sanction under which it appeared before q^j~ j
tlie public, gave it altogether an imposing aspect ; and naturally 1804-14.
induced very high expectations of its future greatness and Sect. i.
success. Central.

This institution, though, as it afterwards appeared, scarcely is 12,
known in the capital from which it derived its designation, and
very partially supported in other parts of the kingdom, con-
trived, chiefly through the exertions of the Rev. J. Jsnicke, to
print 20,000 copies of the Bible and New Testament in the
Bohemian and Polish languages; to promote similar exertions '
in various other places ; and to keep alive likewise an interest
in favour of the Holy Scriptures, till an estabhshment was
set on foot for extending their circulation throughout the whole
Prussian dominions.

We are now to trace some of the steps of its progress towards
the position which it at length attained.

Scarcely had the Society entered on its labours, when it had Operations
to encounter great and unlooked for difficulties. A stirring by^French
appeal, addressed to the Christians in the Prussian States, had iuvasion.
been widely issued; subscriptions were beginning to be re-
ceived; Dantzig had been induced to form a connection
with Berlin, and to yield its tribute to the promotion of their
work : and, encouraged by the receipt of the second donation
from the British Society, a resolution had just been taken to put
to press an edition of 3000 copies of the Bohemian Bible. But
at this very period, the French army under the Emperor Na- b^j.^^
poleon Buonaparte got possession of Berlin, and the operations captured,
of the Bible Society were of course involved in the common ^'
confusion.

It was, however, matter of relief and consolation, as the Supplies
dearth of the Holy Scriptures was so great in Bohemia, ^°;||^ ^^
and the accomplishment of the intended impression was Bohemia,
unavoidably retarded, by the circumstances of distress and
exaction to which the Prussian dominions were reduced, that
a temporary supply of 3000 New Testaments, together with
the Book of Psalms, had been furnished to the Bohemian con-
gregation from the Bible Institution at Halle, by the season-
able and munificent donation of a Prussian ofiicer, who paid

310 HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE, tlie entire price of the 3000 copies, together with the expenses
c ~ I of conveyance to the places of their destination.
1804-14. Though every channel of communication with this country
Sect. I. was now almost entirely sealed up, the Berlin Society were
Central, enabled, in the following year, through some unsuspected
1 S06. medium of correspondence, to convey an expression of their
feelings and hopes to the Society in England. On presenting
the fifty-sixth sheet of their Bohemian Bible, they speak of
themselves as embarassed, but not discouraged, by the circum-
stances of their condition. They represent that their " distress
is very great," and that " thousands groan under the pressure
of extreme poverty;" and they "recommend themselves to
the continued sympathy and intercession " of the British and
Foreign Bible Society, wdiile they glorify the Lord in the fires,
and exclaim, through their Secretary, " Hallelujah, Blessed be
the name of the Lord! In the midst of the convulsions
of worldly "kingdoms. His kingdom will increasingly pro-
sper." Such a strain as this, uttered amidst the lamen-
tations of a despoiled and a subjugated people, illustrates
the power of real religion, and evinces how little " the man
of the earth" can effect in disquieting the subjects, or
impeding the operations, of that kingdom wdiich is not of this
world.
Cumpletioii The printing of the Bohemian Bible was completed in Sep-
uliauBMe Member 1807. It was followed by so rapid a distribution of
I8t)7. the copies, chiefly among the Protestant congregations using

that language in Bohemia and Silesia, as to occasion regret
that the impression had not been much more considerable.
The success with which this work had been attended, and the
information acquired by the correspondence to which it led,
suggested, to the conductors of the Society at Berlin, another
and scarcely less important undertaking — an impression of the
Polish Bible. Undismayed by the difficulties with Avhich they
were surrounded, and relying, under God, on the expected
support of the British and Foreign Bible Society, they re-
solved to make the arduous attempt. Upon the first intelli-
gence of their design, the Committee in London greeted it with
cheering assurances of aid ; and by successive grants, amount-
ing in the whole to £800, afterwards increased to £900, with

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 311

a loan of £300, they induced its projectors to enlarge their EUROPE,
edition from 5000 Bibles, the number originally proposed, to qh^, i.
8000 Bibles, and 4000 additional Testaments. The above 1804-14.
work was completed in 1810. Sect. I.

Some time before this, the Berlin Society had opened a Central.
communication with the province of Lithuania, containing a 1810.
population exceeding a million of souls, partly subject to the Lithuania.
Prussian, partly to the Russian Government. The people
were described as being religiously disposed, but to a lament-
able extent destitute of the Scriptures. At the instance of ^'"'^J^*j^°_
the British and Foreign Bible Society, a Committee had been mittee at
formed at Konigsberg, who, encouraged by a donation of |jgrg'^^'
£300, resolved to print an edition of the Lithuanian Bible.
Still, however, the measure remained in suspense, on account
of the extreme poverty of the inhabitants, from whom the ne-
cessary funds were to be raised. Intelligence of this being
conveyed to the British and Foreign Bible Society, an addi-
tional grant was made of £200, and thus this important object
was accomplished.

The Polish Bible above referred to, with the additional num-
ber of New Testaments, having been completed, it then be-
came a matter of consideration, how they might be most
extensively and beneficially distributed. The demand for
them was very great ; many copies were speedily disposed
of in Warsaw, Upper Silesia, and Austrian Gallicia; but
the scarcity of specie was so severely felt, that it became
evident, that miless other measures were adopted, very few
of the lower classes would become possessed of a copy.

To meet a case so vu-gent, the British and Foreign Bible
Society directed 1000 copies to be distributed gratuitously at
its own expense, by the Berlin Society ; and as the Konigs-
berg Committee had made vigorous exertions to supply the
numerous Poles in Prussia, and especially the Pohsh Schools
in Lithuania, 500 Polish Bibles and 1000 Testaments were
placed at their disposal ; the proceeds, if any, to go in aid of
a second edition of the Lithuanian Bible. About the same time
a new edition of the Bohemian Bible having become necessary,
a grant of £250 was made to the Berlin Society, whose re-
sources were at tliat time very low, to enable them to print a

312 HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE, new edition of 5000 copies. This second edition left the press
Chap I. in November 1813.

1804-14. After the Berlin Society had existed somewhat more than
Sect. I. eight years, during which its labours, however circumscribed
Central, ^nd interrupted, were eminently successful in administering a
1813. partial supply of the Holy Scriptures, it merged, in 1814, into
Tb B Vw *^^® Prussian Bible Society, the formation and proceedings of
merged in which will afterwards come under notice, as being more fully
sian Bible connected with the succeeding portion of this history. For the
Society. same reason, the account of the establishment of the Nether-
lands Bible Society, which took place towards the close of the
period now under review, is also postponed.

BRITISH AND rOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY, 313

SECTION 11.

NORTHERN EUROPE.
1804-1814.

Intended desti7iation of Rev. llessrs. Paterson and Henderson for
India — Application to the Da7iish Coiii^tfor passage to India —
its failure — Residts of their efforts in the North of Europe in the
Bible cause — Correspondence with British a7id Foreign Bible
Society — Icelandic Testament — Bombardment of Copenhagen
— Formation of Societies at St. Petersburgh, 3Iosco2V, Stock-
holm— Extensive issiie of the Scriptures.

The circumstances which first drew the attention of the EUROPE.

Society to the north of Europe, and brought the distant q^~ ^
ishmd of Iceland within the range of its earUest Foreign 1«04-14.

operations, are fully narrated in Owen's history. It appears sect. II.

that in the year 1805, the Rev. John Paterson, and the Rev. Northern
Ebenezer Henderson, both natives of Scotland, and animated 1805.

with a zeal for the propagation of the Gospel, resigned Messrs.

their country, connections, and wordly prospects, in order to Paterson

serve as Christian Missionaries in India. Precluded by the dersonr"

regulations of the British East-India Company from occupying prevented

..ii.-i ., going to

stations within their territorial dominions, they repaired to judia;

Copenhagen, in the hope of obtaining a passage to Tranquebar,

and exercising their ministry within the settlement attached

to the Danish Crown on the coast of Coromandel. Having

been disappointed in their expectation, they felt themselves await

compelled to abandon the design — a design nearest their openings

heart, of proclaiming the glad tidings of salvation to the sionary

heathen ; and began to consider in what manner they might 5)e°nmark

turn their Missionary zeal to profitable accomit in that part

314 . HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE, of Christendom, upon which the providence of God appeared
Chap I ^° have cast them.

1804-14. Under this impression, they commenced a very diligent
Sect. II. inquiry into the state of religion in the countries by which
Northern ^j^gy were more unmediately surromided. Among the indi-
1805. viduals of consideration, with whom they had formed a con-
nection during their residence at Copenhagen, was Justiciary
Thorkelin, Privy-Keeper of the Royal Archives, a person
very generally respected, and distinguished for his zealous
attachment to the cause of Christianity. This gentleman,
the^sti™ heing a native of Iceland, and feeling, as a Christian patriot, for
tution of the spiritual welfare of his country, laid open to these dis-
appointed Missionaries a field of immediate usefulness, by
directing their attention to the religious state of the inha-
bitants of that island, and to the dearth of the Holy Scriptures
at that time prevailing among them. Mr. Thorkelin stated
that the population, amounting to nearly 50,000, scarcely con-
tained one person in a hundred above the age of twelve or
fourteen, who could not read ; that no people in the world
were fonder of reading ; and that, as the only press of which
they were possessed had not been used for many years, the
inhabitants supplied the want of printed books by the labo-
rious and tardy expedient of transcribing them; that the
Holy Scriptures were no longer to be obtained for money;
and that not above forty or fifty copies of the Bible were to
be found throughout the island. Touched with compassion
for nearly 50,000 of their fellow-Christians, inhabiting a
remote island, and destitute of those sacred oracles which they
so dearly prized and revered, Messrs. Paterson and Henderson
transmitted the information, with which they had themselves
been so deeply impressed, to their friends in Scotland, and made
an earnest appeal onbehalf of thisinterestingand destitute people.
Through this circuitous channel the intelligence was conveyed
to the Committee of the British and Foreign Bible Society,
and thus the question of administering aid to the necessi-
tous Icelanders was brought regularly and seriously before
them,
deucrwt'h ^^ ^^^^ immediately determined, that the President should be
the Bible requested to open a communication with the Bishop of Iceland,

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 315

and offer, in the name of the Society, to defray half the expense EUROPE,
of an edition of 5000 Icelandic Testaments. With this request c^^ i
his lordship complied. 1804-14.

In the mean time Messrs. Paterson and Henderson learnt sect. II.
that a small religious Society, in the island of Fiihnen, had Northern
also turned its attention to the religious state of Iceland, and I807.
had, after correspondence with the Bishop, determined to print j^eligious
an edition of 2000 copies of the Icelandic Testament. This Society at
information they hastened to communicate to the Society in prepares
London, who were prepared, by what had before taken place, I^elaudic
to sympathize with their new correspondents in their desire to ment.
aflPord assistance to Iceland ; and, as an amendment of their Qj-antfrom
former grant, they resolved, in Oct. 1806, to authorize the Bible So-
enlargement of the projected impression of the Icelandic Tes- "^ ^'
tament from 2000 to 5000 copies.

The resolution was speedily communicated, and Mr. Pater- ^
son, at the desire of the Flilmen Society, consented to charge tendance
himself with the executive conduct of the business. The j^ters'on.
work was printed at Copenhagen, and when finished, and the
copies bound, 1500 were despatched to different parts of Ice-
land, by the ships which sailed for that island, in the spring
of 1807. The war which broke out between England and
Denmark prevented the transmission of the remaining copies ;
and the bombardment of Copenhagen, which followed shortly

after, threatened them with seeminslv inevitable destruction. ^°™^'^^'l-

o >' ment ot

That destruction was, however, averted, and this inflammable Copen-
treasm-e preserved in the midst of a conflagration which laid ^^^^^'
almost every thing around it in ashes. Two bombs are stated
to have entered the house where the unbound copies were
lying; and the warehouse which contained the 500 bound
copies, designed as a present to the Bishop of Iceland, was
neai'ly burnt to the ground, that part only having cscaj^ed the
Jlames in whicfi these cojyies ivere deposited.

The acceptance with which the Testament was greeted by Further
the inhabitants of Iceland, suggested the importance of taking p^"* ^^^
a further step on behalf of these interesting people, and grati-
fying their eager desire for the word of God, by giving them
the whole Bible. With this view, the sum of £300 was
appropriated to the purpose of printing the Old Testament,

316 HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE, and steps were taken to prepare the requisite materials ; when
Chap. I. ^^ became necessary for Messrs. Paterson and Henderson, on
1804-14. whom the superintendence of the work devolved, to quit their
Sect. II. post of labour m the Danish capital, and seek a temporaiy
NoRTUERN asylum in Stockholm.

1812. To this change of residence, dictated by a seemingly un-

toward necessity, may be traced some of those measures which
terminated in the establishment of Bible Societies in the north
and north-eastern provinces of Europe.

In August 1812, permission was granted by the King of
Denmark to Mr. Henderson to reside at Copenhagen, for the
purpose of completmg the Icelandic Bible. The printing of
the whole Bible was now advanced with all proper expedition ;
and the New Testament, which had been distributed in Ice-
land, having been joyfully received, — ''the whole number
destined for sale being instantly disposed of and eagerly
bought" — it was resolved to add 5000 extra Testaments to
the original order of that number of Bibles. This impression
of 5000 entire Bibles and 5000 extra Testaments, left the
press early in 1814, and a large proportion of them were im-
mediately despatched to different parts of Iceland, whither Mr.
Henderson himself soon after repaired, in order to superin-
tend the distribution of the copies throughout the island.
Copeii- Before Mr. Henderson left Copenhagen for Iceland, he had

irff "s the pleasure of seeing a Bible Society establislied in that city
ciety. for the benefit of the Danish dominions in general. Tlie suc-

cessful operations of that Society are found chiefly connected
with subsequent periods of this history ; but some notice of the
steps which led to this event may be here introduced.
Visit of -^t the period of Dr. Steinkopff's visit to Copenhagen, in

Dr. Stein- 1812, no establishment had been formed, within the Danish

kopfl toCo- . .

peuhageu, dominions, exclusively for the circulation of the Holy Scrip-
tures. The Fiihnen Society had exerted itself to the utmost
of its ability, and considerable additions had been made to its
means by a discretionary grant on the part of Dr. Steinkopff ;
but its foundation was too narrow, and its resources too scanty,
to allow of its making any very widely-extended efforts.
Hence a Bible Society in the capital of Denmark was felt to
be very desirable.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 317

The information wliich Dr. Steinkopff had it in his power EUROPE,
to impart respecting the British Bible Society, and the encou- qj^~ j
ragement which he was authorized to hold out to the formation 1804-14.
of similar Societies, contributed materially to awaken an in- Sect. IT.
terest in favour of the object among several persons of dis- NoRrtiERN
tinction, both lay and ecclesiastic. Among these, the principal 1814.
was the Right Rev. Dr. Miinter, the Bishop of Zealand, a jy^ Mim-
man of high reputation for talent, learning, and piety. This ter^ Bishop
prelate had, in 1810, addressed a communication, intended
for the Society, to the Archbishop of Canterbury, which,
however, never reached the Committee. In consequence of
Dr. Steinkopff' s visit, the Bishop renewed the correspondence,
through the medium of Lord Teignmouth.* The result was
the provisional formation of the Danish Bible Society at Co-
penhagen, in May 1814, and its subsequent establishment in
the following August, under the formal sanction and appro-
bation of His Majesty the King. On this occasion the Britisli
and Foreign Bible Society had the pleasure of making a grant
of £500, in aid of the first efforts of the Danish Institution.

Some advances were made towards a communication with Russia.
Russia so early as the year 1806. In the month of March in jj.(,p
that year, an application was received from a Superintendent
of the Lutheran Church in Esthonia, in behalf of fifty parishes, E^thonia.
containing at least 15,000 families. The writer entreated with
much earnestness *'that the Society would remember them,
and assist them with pecuniary aid, in order that the whole
Bible, or at least a part of it, might be gratuitously or cheaply
distributed to the many indigent persons destitute of this
treasure." In reply to this application, a tender -was im-
mediately made of a grant to a respectable amount, on con-
dition of a Bible Society being formed for the province of
Esthonia. Some years, however, elapsed before the establish-
ment of this Society was effected.

A second locality within the territories of Russia, from Karass, ou

which a communication was opened with the British and pian.

Foreio-n Bil^le Society, was Karass, a Missionary settlement on ^'.^f ^:

i^ '' ' ' -^ riukerton

the north of the Caspian Sea. Here, under the patronage of and Brun-

tou, Mis-
* See the Bislioj)';* Letter, Owen, Vol. II. p. 217. siouaries.

318 HISTORY or THE

EUROPE the Edinburgh Missionary Society, some Missionaries (among
Chap. I. whom was the Rev. Robert, afterwards Dr. Pinkerton, the
1804-14. Society's Agent) were labouring to propagate the knowledge
Sect. II. and influence of Christianity among a Mahomedan and
Northern Heathen population, extending from the banks of the Wolga to
1806. the shores of the Euxine. This Mission, now long since broken
up, enjoyed at that time the favour of His Imperial Majesty,
and of other individuals of rank and piety who possessed weight
in the political councils of St. Petersburgh. Intelligence
having been received, through the Edinburgh Missionary So-
ciety, of a disposition on the part of the people to receive
religious books in the Tartar dialect of the Turkish language,
and Mr. Brunton, one of the Missionaries, having, it appeared,
made himself master of the Turkish and Tartar dialects, in
which no version had hitherto been printed, except one of the
New Testament in 1666, of little use, it was determined to
supply a new fount of Arabic types, with a sufficient quantity
of paper and ink, for an impression of 5000 copies of the New
Testament for this benighted people.
Sarepta, a Another incident in this progress towards a connection with
Settlement the Russian Empire, arose out of a correspondence with some

near As- intellio;ent individuals at Sarepta, a Moravian settlement near
trachau. . , t • • p

Tistrachan. In communications from that quarter, it was

stated that the Scriptures were so extremely scarce in Russia,

that, to use the writer's own expression, " it was generally

known a hundred versts off when the treasure of a Bible was

to be met with." In this account it was added, that in the

German colonies, established on the Wolga in 1766, containing

thirteen parishes, the circumstances of the Pastors were too

depressed, to allow of their supplying their people with Bibles

Grants to on such terms as were alone within their means. To meet this

(jrerman .,.,.„ „

colonists, latter want, an order was immediately given for 400 German

Bibles and 300 Testaments, to be forwarded from the In-
stitution at Halle.

It appearing, from the intelligence above referred to, con-
firmed as it was by information from other sources, that the
population of Russia generally was in such a condition, with
respect to the want of the Scriptures, and the deficiency of prac-
tical resources for supplying it, as to render the exertions of the

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 319

Bible Society throughout that vast empire peculiarly desirable, EUROPE,
and it being at the same time felt to be a duty to proceed in ^jj" i_
such a manner as to evince a proper respect for the consti- 1S04-14.
tuted authorities of the empire, a letter was addressed by the gg^,^^ jj
President to the Metropolitan of the Greek Church, Arch- Northern
bishop Plato, with the view of interesting that eminent prelate 1811.
in the object in question.* Though no direct reply was
received, there is reason to believe that the communication
produced a favourable effect on the mind of the Archbishop,
and contributed to pave the way for measures which were
afterwards adopted.

The correspondence with the Missionaries at Sarepta, elicited Calmucs of
much information respecting the Calmucs of the Steppe. It
was stated, that in that part of the Steppe between Sarepta and
the Caucasus, there were, it was computed, 29,000 tents, con-
taining a population exceedmg 60,000 souls, besides 10,000
beyond those limits, who had embraced Christianity. The
Calmucs, it was further represented, constituted one division
of the Mongols (who are distributed into the Mongols proper,
the Bmnats, and the Calmucs), and their language is a dialect
of the Mongolian. 65,000 families, speaking the Calmuc
language, migrated from Russia in 1771, and have since lived
imder the protection of China. Some portions only of the Old
and New Testament had been translated into the language of
this people ; but of these translations no part had then been
printed, for there was no printing-press at Sarepta, nor,
indeed, in the whole country. Upon receiving the information. Grant for
a sum of money was granted for the purchase of a set of types ^f ^^^
at St. Petersburgh, and the translators were recommended Scriptures.
to proceed in their labours, expectation being held out to them
of further aid and encouragement.

The prosecution of inquiries into the state of the Scriptures
in the Russian empire, led, in 1811, to some further dis- I8ii.
coveries of great interest with regard to the religious wants of
the people in the provinces of Livonia and Esthonia. The Livonia
poverty of the peasants was represented a& extreme. To many 'Esthonia.
of them the Bible was said to be unknown, and, by most of
them, unattainable. Not one family in a hundred possessed a
■^ For Lord Teignmouth's letter, see Owen I. p. '255.

320 HISTORY OF THE

EUKOPE. copy, and there were computed to be 400,000 families in the
Chap. I. ^^o provinces utterly without one ; whilst yet, in the preced-
180-1-14. ing forty years, almost every individual had been taught to
Sect. II. read. This representation led immediately to the grant of
NoKTHERN £600 (augmcnted, in the ensuing year, to £1000), to
Hill. encourage the formation of a Livonian Bible Society, and to
promote, in the mean time, the printing of the Scriptures in the
Livonian and Esthonian dialects. This latter object, was with-
out delay put into a course of accomplishment; but the
establishment of Bible Societies for the provinces did not take
place fully, till after the institution of the St. Petersburgh, or
Russian Bible Society, of which they became Auxiliaries.
Fiulana. The next country connected with Russia, which attracted

the attention of the Society, was Finland. A memorial trans-
mitted from Stockholm in 1811, by active friends there, who
had taken steps to ascertain the facts, represented the want
of the Scriptures in the province of Finland as extreme. The
Finnish population was estimated at 1,300,000, and no edition
had been printed in their language since 1776. Stimulated
by this representation, the Society instructed their corre-
spondent, Mr. Paterson, then residing at Stockholm, to offer, in
such way as might l)e deemed most acceptable, the sum of
Bddshand £500, as an inducement to the printing of the Finnish Scrip-
Foreign tures, and the formation of a Bible Society for Finland. This
proposition met with a cordial reception from the Governor-
General and the Bishop of Finland ; and the former. Count
Steinheil, on making a favourable representation of the matter
to the Court of St. Petersburgh, received an answer, stating that
and from jjjg Imperial Majesty was pleased to signify his approbation of
Emperor the offer ; and that, being also himself desirous to contribute to
Alexander, ^^i^ distribution of the Holy Scriptures, he had granted, from his
own private purse, the sum of 5000 rubles towards the object.*
And when, in the following year, a Society was organized at
Abo, under the presidency of Count Steinheil, the Emperor
wrote to the Governor-General, granting, on his application, a
part of the corn tithes, which had been originally appropriated
to printing the Scriptures, but which had been, in latter times,
used for state purposes, to be applied for five years towards
* For tlie Emperor's letter, see Owen, II. p. 83.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 321

printing the Finnish Bible. At the same time he permitted EUROrE.
the Finnish Society to open a subscription over all His Ciiap. I.
Majesty's dominions, where the Finnish language was spoken, 1^04-14.
and to import, duty free, all articles required for the proposed Sect. IT.
edition of the Bible. An imperial proclamation was also ^o^^hern
issued about this time, authorising the, importation of the Russia.
Lapponese New Testaments into Russian Lapland, which
Prince Galitzin undertook to forward.

We now proceed to trace briefly the steps which led to the
formation of a Bible Society in the Capital of Russia, under
the designation, first, of the St. Petersburgh, and afterwards of
the Russian Bible Society.

Early in the year 1812, Mr. Paterson, then at Stockholm, Incidents
was led to consider the expediency of a journey to St. Peters- to the for-
burgh, in order to meet the wishes and promote the interest of '^^^^^ ?^

1 *i cc • • T the Bible

the Abo Society, by supermtending the preparation of types Society at

for the proposed new edition of the Finnish Bible. There tur^ir^'^'
were also circumstances which led to the hope, that something
beyond this immediate object might be accomplished for the
benefit of Russia itself. The Cabinet of St. Petersburgh had
already testified its cordiality towards the designs of the
British and Foreign Bible Society ; and the evidence of it had
been strengthened by the assurances of Baron Nicolai, the
Russian Ambassador at Stockholm, who himself took a lively
interest in the concerns of the Society, and its introduction
into the Russian empire. At this time, also, Mr. Paterson
received a highly encouraging communication from his friend
Mr. Pinkerton, whose name has been mentioned as one of the
Scotch Missionaries at Karass, and who, in 1809, in conse-
quence of failing health, had removed to Moscow, where he EfiForts of
obtained honourable employment as preceptor in the families ^^^- ^'"-
of several persons of distinction. Thus favourably situated at Moscow.
Moscow, Mr. Pinkerton had himself taken measures, in concert
with some of the first nobility, for the establishment of a Bible
Society on a large scale ; and he now wrote a letter to Mr.
Paterson, inviting him to repair to St. Petersburgh, in the
prospect of something being likely soon to be attempted in
Moscow, for the advancement of the general cause.

Thus encouraged, Mr. Paterson, furni^ied with a letter of

322 HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE, introduction from tlie Bishop of Abo, proceeded to St. Peters-
Chap I burgli in August 1812 ; and, shortly after his arrival, he had
1804-14. an audience of Prince Galitzin, the Minister of Foreign
Sect! II. P-eligions, who, in the course of conversation, expressed his

NcTRTHERN williugness to promote the benevolent designs of the Society
Russia, among the Protestants resident In different parts of the

1812

empire.

Impressed with this favourable reception in such a quarter,
yet at a loss, as a solitary stranger, how to turn it to advantage,
he determined to join his correspondent, Mr. Pinkerton, and
confer with him personally on the business which regarded
their common object. He reached Moscow on the 2d of
September, and on that and the two ensuing days, while the
French armies were rapidly advancing to the city, and all
around them was apprehension, confusion, and dismay, these
excellent men were quietly discussing their plans for the
spiritual improvement of that empire, whose very existence
was threatened with destruction.

It soon, however, became evident that the plan devised by
Mr. Pinkerton was for the time utterly impracticable. Nothing-
could then be attempted at Moscow : it was on the eve of
falling into the hands of an infuriated enemy ; and the greater
Capture of part of the nobility, who had promised their assistance in
theFreucli! establishing a Bible Society within it, had departed, either to
join the army, or to seek refuge in the interior of the country.
In this state of things, it obviously appeared that St. Petersburgh,
and not Moscow, ought to be contemplated as the ground on
which the attempt to erect a Bible Society should be made.
It was therefore concluded, that, on his return to St. Petersburgh,
Mr. Paterson should institute the necessary inquiries; and
that, upon receiving information of their leading to a favour-
able issue, Mr. Pinkerton should immediately join him, in
order that their exertions might be unitedly employed, in
carrying the project into actual execution.

Such was the result of that hurried but important interview,
which these two Christian philanthropists enjoyed within the
walls of Moscow, while the torches were preparing, which, in
a few hours, were to kindle a conflagration, that should lay a
large proportion of ifs public buildings in ashes.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 323

On the 5th, the danger had become so imminent, that EUROPE.
Mr. Paterson judged it prudent no longer to deLay his de- cuIp. I.
parture. Commencing his journey at mid-day, he passed along 1804-14.
a road crowded with fugitives, prisoners, and recruits ; and. Sect. II.
on the evening of the 13th, reached in safety the place of his Northern
destination. On his arrival at St. Petersburo;h, he found Russia.

1812

the inhabitants so completely agitated by the capture of
Moscow, as not to be in a condition for attending to any
measures, but what had respect to their personal or political
safety.

In the ensuing October, however, when, by the change of
events, confidence had to a certain degree returned, Mr.
Paterson proceeded to disseminate intelligence on the nature of
the Bible Society, and the countenance afforded by His Imperial
Majesty to its object in Finland. He urged the expediency of
establishing a Society for the Russian dominions, and stated
the willingness and determination of the British and Foreign
Bible Society to contribute the sum of £500, in the event of
such a Society being established.

An address to this effect having been privately circulated, Address
and many among the superior classes of society having circulated
expressed their approbation of the measure, and their desire to Paterson
see it accomplished, Mr. Paterson waited on Prince Galitzin, ?f ^'■
and presented the plan which he had drawn up for a Bible burgh.
Society at St. Petersburgh, together with a memorial explana-
tory of its object, and of the grounds on which it was recom-
mended to the patronage of His Imperial Majesty. A copy
was, at the same time, presented to Earl Cathcart, the British
minister, who took a lively interest in the success of the
undertaking. Prince Galitzin received Mr. Paterson w^itli
much kindness, spoke warmly in praise of the Bible Society,
and promised to lay the proposition for a similar Society before
His Imperial Majesty, who postponed his departure to the
army, in order to examine the docviment. On the 25th of
December it was announced that the proposition had received
the Emperor's sanction; and on the 14th of January 1813,
appeared the Imperial Ukase, authorising the establishment of
a Bible Society at St. Petersburgh, on the principles contained
in the memorial. The Ukase is represented to have produced
Y 2

324 HISTORY OP THE

EUROPE, not only a great sensation, but also the deepest satisfaction
n ~ 1 amons all classes, Jews and Christians, Russians and Ar-

OHAP. I. O ^

1804-14. menians. Catholics and Protestants.*

Sect^II. On receiving intelligence of what had taken place, Mr.

Northern Pinkerton (by permission of Prince Melchersky, in whose

Russia, family he was then residing as perceptor) immediately repaired

'^^'^' to St. Petersburgh, in order to unite his counsels and exertions

with those of his fellow-labourer, to give effect to the Imperial

Ukase. Their joint efforts were then directed to the necessary

measures for regulax'ly forming the proposed Society. In

this they met with much encouragement. The preliminary

arrangements being completed, the persons invited, amounting

to forty, assembled, on the 23d of January, at the Palace of

Formatioii Prince Galitzin. The Prince, on entering the room, took the

Peters- Arclibishop, the Metropolitan of the Greek Church, by the

burgh Bible i^^^^A q^-^([ seated him in the highest place ; next to him the

Prince stationed the Metropolitan of the Catholic Churches.

Opposite to them were ranged the other prelates, and the

ministers, nobles, and gentlemen severally took their seats

according to the order of precedency. The Imperial Ukase

was first read,f permitting the formation of a Bible Society in

* At the very time the Emperor was signing- this document, the hist of
the enemy was crossing the Vistula.

t The following is a translation of the Ukase, as it was published in the
Slavonian and German languages :

'■' 3IEMOIiIAL, most humbly submitted to His Imperial Majesty, by
the Director-General of the Spiritual Concerns of the Foreiyn
Churches.

Petersburgh, Dec. 6, 1812. Old Style.

"The British and Foreign Bible Society, the design of which is to
spread the doctrines of the Holy Scriptures in different languages, and
among various nations, being fully convinced, that, in the Russian Em-
pire, many philanthropic Christians will be found, who are desirous to
advance the temporal and eternal welfare of their fellow-creatures, has
requested one of its members, the Rev. J. Paterson, to promote the esta-
blishment of a Bible Society in St. Petersburgh, provided it should meet
with the approbation of your Imperial Majesty.

" The proposal of Mr. Paterson has induced many person to express a
wish, that a Bible Society might actually be formed in this capital, being-
persuaded that such an Institution would prove highly beneficial, and
being desirous themselves to take an active part in the same. Influenced

1813.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 325

St. Petersburgli ; after which the Society was formally con- EUROPE,
stituted. Prince Galitzin being chosen and appointed Pre- q^~ j
sident. The meeting terminated with mutual congratulations 1804-14.
among the members. "It was," write Messrs. Paterson and Sect! If.
Pinkerton, "truly delightful to see the unanimity which ^'"^Rthern
actuated this assembly, composed of Ohristians of the Russian Russia
Greek Church, of Armenians, of Catholics, of Lutherans, of
Calvinists, all met for the express purpose of making the
Gospel of the grace of God sound out from the shores of the
Baltic to the Eastern Ocean, and from the Frozen Ocean to
the Black Sea, and the borders of China, by putting into the
hands of Christians and Mahomedans, of Lamites and the
votaries of Shaman, with many other heathen tribes, the
oracles of the living God." Thus auspiciously did this Society
commence. Alas ! that a future page should have to record its
abrupt suspension and termination, not, however, until it had, by
the favour of God, put forth some extraordinary efforts towards
accomplishing the object for which it was instituted. It

by sentiments like these, Mr. Paterson lias i^resented to me a plan for the
formation of such a Society, and requested me to lay it before your
Imperial Majesty, and to entreat your most gracious sanction of the pro-
posed measure.

"While the printing of the Holy Scriptures in the Slavonic language,
for the use of the professors of the Russian Greek religion, is to remain
under the sole and exclusive control of the Holy Synod, I consider the
above mentioned plan truly useful for the dissemination of the Old
and New Testament among the professors of foreign churches resident in
Russia, by enabling the less wealthy to purchase copies at a cheap rate,
and by supplying' the poor gratuitously.

" Encouraged by the sanction which your Imperial Majesty has been
pleased to give to the Bible Society lately formed at Abo, I feel em-
boldened to present this plan to your Imperial Majesty for examination,
and to submit it to your most gracious consideration, whether your
Imperial Majesty may not think proper to direct, that the plan suggested
by the British and Foreign Bible Society, for the formation of a similar
Institution in Petersburgli, on the principles therein stated, should be carried
into execution.

(Signed) "PRINCE ALEXANDER GALITZIN."

" Approved by His Imperial Majesty, who subscribed with his own
hand, "Be it so.

" ALEXANDER.'

Then follows the plan of the Society, with its rules and regulations.

326

HISTORY or THE

Chap. I.
1804-14,

Sect. II.
Northern

Russia.
1813.

EUROPE, remains here to add, that His Imperial Majesty further
testified his approbation of the Institution by desiring to be
entered as one of its members, with a donation of 25,000
rubles, and an annual subscription of 10,000.*

On the formation of the Society, effective arrangements were
made without delay for the carrying of its purposes into effect.
A paper, on the nature and usefulness of Bible Societies, was
drawn up in the Russian, German, and Polish languages,
and widely circulated. The Directors commenced with a
distribution of the Scriptures in different languages, furnished
by the British and Foreign Bible Society, among the prisoners
of war and poor British residents ; but it soon advanced to the
prosecution of more extensive and permanent plans.

Shortly after the establishment of the St. Petersburg!! Bible
Society, Mr. Pinkerton, whose share in that movement was
honourably attested by Prince Galitzin, felt a strong dis-
position to form an Auxiliary Society at Moscow. Thither
he repaired as soon as his health permitted; and having
drawn up an address on the circulation of the Scriptures, and
the utility of Bible Societies, he proceeded to call on some distin-
guished persons, who entered cordially into his views. A plan
was afterwards submitted to the Petersburg]! Committee, and
being by them approved, a meeting was held on the 16th of
July 1813, the Archbishop Yicarius of Moscow, together
with five of the first clergy (Archimandrites) and a number of
the most respectable nobility, being present; and a Society
formed, entitled " The Moscow Committee of the Bible So-
ciety." By this act was effected a union between the Holy
Synod and the Minister of Foreign Confessions, requisite to
render the constitution of the St. Petersburgh Society perfect,
and its powers for universal operation throughout the empire
complete ; thus rendering it in effect, what it became afterwards
in designation, the Russian Bible Society.

While these measures were taking place in the heart of the
empire, preparation was making for similar proceedings on

* For a further narrative of this interesting event, see Owen II. jj. 2-43,
and also " The Book for everj^ Land : Reminiscences of Labour and Ad-
venture in the work of Bible circulation in the North of Europe and in
Russia/' by the late John Paterson, D.D.

Moscow
Bible
Society
formed.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 327

the shores of the Baltic. Seven years had elapsed since a cor- EUEOPE.
respondence had been opened with Esthonia, from which, Chap. I.
however, owing to local difficulties, no advantage to the common 1804-14.
cause had been derived. But the establishment of the St. Pe- Sect H.
tersburgh Bible Society, and its authority and obligation to form ^'^^^thern
Committees throughout the empire, removed at once these diffi- Russia,
culties. As soon, therefore, as Mr. Paterson's services in the
capital could be for a time dispensed with, he proceeded towards
the Eastern Pi-ovinces, with the approbation of the St. Peters-
burgh (committee, with a view to form Auxiliary Societies
in the provinces of Courland, Livonia, and Esthonia. And
such was his success that he was enabled to report, on his
return to St. Petersbui'gh, the establishment and active organi-
zation of the Dorpat, Mittau, Riga, and Reval Bible So-
cieties; the last of which was formed on the 16th of July 1813, Societies
the day on which the Bible Society was instituted at Moscow. RiJ^^'^J.^'
The want of the Scriptures in these provinces was ascertained
to exceed very greatly the estimate which had been previously
formed. In the district of Dorpat alone, which contained
106,000 inhabitants, not 200 Testaments were to be found:
thousands among that population had never seen a New
Testament ; it is said there were even pastors who had not
a copy of the Scriptures in the dialect in which they preached :
and this scarcity was reported of a district, in which the
United Brethren alone reckoned in their connection above
11,000 truly pious members, besides nearly as many more
Avho manifested a hopeful concern for religion. The zeal for
obtaining the Scriptures, and also for promoting their dis-
tribution, was very generally displayed by all ranks throughout
these provinces. The lead was taken, in the formation and
the patronage of the respective Societies, by persons of the
first distinction for rank, talents and piety.*

In order to meet the multiplied wants of the numerous jg^^g ^f
populations united under the Russian sceptre, the newly formed Scriptures
Society entered into several engagements. The Holy Synod languages.
gave orders for the printing of several thousand copies of the
Slavonian Bible at Moscow and Kief, for the benefit of the
Russian Greek Christians. An edition of 5000 copies of the -

* Count Lieven and Baron Victinglioff are particularly mentioned.

328 HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE. Polish New Testament Avas begun. Arrangements were made

ChIp I ^^^ printing 5000 copies of the Catholic translation of the

1804-14. French Bible, (De Sacj's), for the use of the Roman Catholics

Sect! II. in Russia. The Lutheran translation of the German Bible,

Northern on standing types, was commenced. It was resolved to print

Russia. 5000 copies of the Finnish Bible, on the standing types pre-

^^'^^' pared for the Abo Bible Society, previously to their being

sent off from St. Petersburg!!. Types were prepared for the

Calmuc language, and the Gospel of St. Matthew was ordered

to press. It was contemplated to prepare the Bible in the

Armenian language, copies of which had become so scarce,

that the Society was not able to procure one at any price ;

but that being regarded as too expensive an undertaking for

the funds then at their disposal, the Society put to press

5000 copies of the New Testament in that language.

The origination of the St. Petersburgh Bible Society, leading

to the progressive formation of the several branches connected

with it, which have been already enumerated, was regarded, and

surely with much justice, as one of the most important of the

results with which, at that time, God had been pleased to

honour the labours of the British and Foreign Bible Society.

Sweden. An account has been already given of the favourable con-

1809. dition in which Sweden was supposed to be, with respect to the

possession of the Holy Scriptures. In consequence of that

representation, some years were suffered to elapse, without any

attempt being made to promote, in that country, the work

which, to a greater or less degree, was proceeding with effect

in many others. But the time had arrived, when Stockholm was

to add another Society to those already estabUshed for that

purpose on the continent of Europe.

Removal of "^^^^ history of the Institution erected at Stockholm, will be

Mr Pater- found to connect with the event of Mr. Paterson's retirement

son from „

Copen- from Copenhagen on account of the war, and the investigation
StocThdm. which, during the suspension of his labours in Denmark, he
was led to prosecute in Sweden. The result of this investi-
gation, which had been made with diligence, and under cir-
cumstances favourable for ascertaining the truth, agreed with
the report which had been previously received, in some par-
ticulars, but differed from it in others, and those, too, of con-

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 329

siderable importance. With that report it strictly concurred, EUROPE,
so far as regarded the state of respectable families, and the q^~ j
houses of farmers and innkeepers ; in all which a Bible was 1804-14.
regularly found : but here the agreement ended. The ac- Sect. II.
count transmitted by Mr. Paterson described the families of Northern
inferior consideration, the inhabitants of cottages and cabins, Sweden,
as almost totally destitute of the word of God ; and represented ' '
the possession of a Bible, as an article of property, in the case
of a servant or a labourer, to be a thing unknown, and, from
the high price which it bore, almost impossible.

The discrepancy between the two statements led to a re-
ference to the respectable Swedish authorities, from whom the
more favourable intelligence had been derived ; the event of
which was an unequivocal confirmation of Mr. Paterson's
statement with respect to the wants of the lower classes in
Sweden, and a consequent resolution of the British and Fo-
reign Bible Society to encourage the formation of an establish-
ment at Stockholm for administering to their eflPectual and
permanent relief.

Animated by assurances of co-operation from London, and Formation
by promises of support from persons of great respectability in hoimEvan.
Stockholm, Mr. Paterson drew up a Memorial on the subject, gelical So-
Tlie effect of this Memorial, combined with other exertions
directed to the same object, was the establishment of an In-
stitution at Stockholm, under the designation of the " Evan-
gelical Society," with the sanction of the King and Privy
Council.

The desire of effecting certain other religious purposes, and
the impracticability, at that period, of forming separate In-
stitutions for each, rendered it expedient to incorporate the
distribution of the Scriptures, and of Religious Tracts, &c., in
one common establishment. With a view, however, to secure
a strict conformity to the fundamental rule of the British and
Foreign Bible Society, that of circulating the Scriptures alone,
provision was made in the constitution of the Evangelical
Society, that each of these objects should form the business of
a separate department, and both the income and expenditure
attaching to each be kept regularly and religiously distinct.

The Stockholm Evangelical Society, having thus qualihed

ciety.

330

HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE.

Chap. I.
1804-14.

Sect. II.
Northern

Sweden.
1810.

Grant from
British and
Foreign
Bible So-
ciety.

Kapid issue
and circu-
lation of
Scriptures.

Lapland.

itself for a connection with tlie British and Foreign Bible So-
ciety, forwarded to London an address, breathing a spirit of
warm and generous piety, and describing with much clearness
the origin, design, and circumstances of the new Institution.*
On the receipt of this gratifying communication, the Society
made an immediate grant of £300, accompanied with an ex-
pression of their congratulations. Thus was laid, in the capital
of Sweden, a foundation upon which a National Bible Society
was afterwards to be erected. The good produced by this
limited and temporary establishment was very great. It was,
in fact, the first depot in which the Scriptures were printed
and accumulated for distribution in the north of Europe, and
in its bosom the zeal for circulating the Holy Scriptures was
first awakened, which difi^used itself throughout the Swedish
provinces, and afterwards kindled a kindred fiame in the very
heart of the Russian Empire.

The Stockholm Society embarked in its new under-
taking with much spirit, insomuch that, by the close of the
following year (1810), more than 11,000 copies of the New
Testament had been issued, and a resolution formed for
printing the Old Testament ; and all this in a country, and for
a people, which had been considered so generally furnished
with the Bible, that " no want" was believed to exist among
them " of that Holy Book."

Another object which early occupied the attention of the
Stockholm Society, and in which they showed a lively interest,
was the superintendence of the printing of the New Testament
in the dialect of Lapland— a language totally distinct, and
spoken by a people who, in their mode of living, and advance
in cultivation, were very far behind the inhabitants of Sweden,
and among whom existed a great want of Bibles, as well as of
other religious books. The British Society had, some time
before (1808), on the representation of Messrs. Paterson and
Henderson, appropriated a sum of £50, to an edition of 5000
copies, for distribution in Norwegian, Russian, and Swedish
Lapland, and the friends at Stockholm cheerfully undertook
the execution of the work.

Before the expiration of 1811, this active Association had
* For copy of tlie Address, see Fifth Report, Appendix.

BEITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 331

printed four editions of the Swedish New Testament, amount- EUROPE,
ing to 16,000 copies, together with an edition of 5000 copies cuap. I.
on standing types, a thing never before attempted in that 1804-14.
kingdom. So great was the demand for both, that the Testa- sect. IT.
ment had been rapidly disposed of, and the whole edition of Northern
the Bible bespoken long before it was printed. To encourage Sweden,
the printing of fresh editions of these works, an additional
grant of £200 this year, and £200 in the year following, was
made by the British and Foreign Bible Society. The Lap-
ponese New Testaments being completed, were forwarded to
their respective destinations. One half were distributed in all
the parishes of Swedish Lapland, according to a plan pre-
viously settled by the Royal Chancery at Stockholm, and the
transport of the books was made at the public expense, the
King expressing his pleasure at the effort made for promoting
a better knowledge of the Christian religion among his Lap-
land subjects.

The following interesting anecdote relating to the Swedish
Province of Dalecarlia was related by Dr. Brunnmark, Chap-
lain to the Swedish Embassy, at a Meeting held in the Egyptian
Hall, for the formation of the City of London Bible Auxiliary,
August 1812:—

" After Sweden was forced to make peace with France, and
declare against England, the usual war-prayer continued to
be read in all the churches. The Dalecarlians asked who
were the enemies of the country ; and when they were told
that the English were meant by that name, — ' No, no,' ex-
claimed they, ' the English are not our enemies : they are our
best friends. They sent us corn to sow our land, when in our
distress we had consumed even the grain intended for seed ;
they sent us medicine for our sick and wounded soldiers, and
woollen blankets for our hospitals; and, what is more than
all, they have lately sent us the Bible!' The Dalecarlians
thereupon requested of their ministers to discontinue the
war-prayer, which soon afterwards was permitted to be
done."

The Stockholm Evangelical Society, after the lapse of five Swedish
years, became merged in the Swedish Bible Society. Up to ^'^'® ^°"
that period, so vigorous and unremitting had been their ex-

1814.

332 HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE, ertioiis, that tliey had printed not fewer than 33,000 Testa-
Chap. I. ments and 11,000 Bibles, and were, at the time of its being
1804-14. superseded by the National Society, preparing new editions of
Sect. II. each. Stimulated by its example, and encouraged by its
Northern success, Bible Societies were established in other towns or
Sweden, provinces of Sweden, particularly in Wisby, Gothenburg, and
Westeras; and in July 1814, chiefly through the exertions of
Dr. Brunnmark, the Swedish Bible Society was formed at
Stockholm. Baron Rosenblad, Minister for the Home De-
partment, a nobleman of the highest rank in Sweden, to whose
good offices with the Government the Stockholm Evangelical
Society had, from its first establishment, been essentially in-
debted, was appointed its President. His Majesty the King
was pleased to allow himself to be enrolled as Patron, and
the Crown Prince became the first Honorary Member. This
was approved in full Council of State, and registered the same
day in the great State Minute Book. The laboui-s of this So-
ciety belong to a subsequent period.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 333

EUROPE.

CENTRAL AND NORTHERN.

CHAPTER II.

FROM THE ESTABLISHMENT OF PEACE IN EUROPE, TO THE
ISSUING OF THE SOCIETY'S APOCRYPHAL REGULATIONS.

1814— 1839.

SECTION I.

CENTRAL EUROPE.

Results of preceding efforts on the Continent — Tours of Drs
Paterson, Pinkerton, and Henderson. — Neu-) Societies in Ger-
many, Switzerland, France. — Failure of efforts in Austria. —
Papal op2)osition. — Fisit of Mr. Owen to the Continent. — Ban
de la Roche. — Successive visits of Dr. Steinhopff". — Interval of
highest efficiency of Continental Institutions. — Apoc?'yphal Re-
gulations.— General dissatisfaction of Foreign Societies. — De-
putation of Dr. Pinkerton and Rev. R. W. Sihthorp. — Plan of
separate Agency recommended. — Services of Leander Van Ess.

The period on which we now enter, exhibits the operations of eueope.
the Society, in their relation to kindred institutions on the Con- n ~ ^J
tinent of Europe, in their greatest efficiency and vigour. The 1814-29.
re-establishment of peace had thrown open again those chan- gj, ~ j
nels of communication, which a jealous hostility had so long Central.
kept closed ; and facilities of mutual and unsuspected inter-
course among the lately belligerent nations were now multi- Results of
plied in every direction. The progress of the Society already, *''® efforts
notwithstanding the obstructions it had encountered, had been ceding
such as to prepare it to enter, with zeal and activity, on that ^^"^"
more extensive field into which its exertions were now to be
carried. Nor was it slow to avail itself of those greater fa-
cilities for the advancement ofits cause, which were now aftbrded.

Formation
of nu-
merous
Cont

334 HISTORY or the

EUROPE. It will have been seen, that one leading object of the So-
Chap. II, clety was to encourage foreign countries to adopt its prin-
1814-29. ciple, by instituting Societies of their own, for the express and
Sect. I. sole purpose of circulating the Holy Scriptures. This object
Central, j^^^ been, to some limited extent, already accomplished ; but it
was now to be realized on a much larger scale. The multi-
plication of these Societies, their rapid rise and successful
progress, in concert with those already formed, will occupy
nental So- and distinguish the period comprised in this chapter, being an
cieties. interval of about fifteen years, from 1814 to 1829. After the
latter date, the British and Foreign Society, owing to the
course which it thought right to adopt on the Apocryphal
question, became rather an interested spectator of their
labours, than an active participant in them: its operations
on the Continent being thenceforward carried on chiefly by
means of agencies under its own immediate control.
Good effect It may here be proper to remark, how much the Society
of Dr. was indebted for the promotion of its object, and the extension

^*^i"^°P^ of its work on the Continent, to the successive visits undertaken
Owen. by its Secretaries Dr. Steinkopff and Mr. Owen, and more

especiall}'- to those of its agents, Drs. Paterson, Henderson,
and Pinkerton, accompanied and assisted, as they were in a
few instances, by other friends. The services of Messrs. Pater-
son, Henderson, and Pinkerton, were, in this respect, of so vast
importance, that it becomes necessary, before we proceed to
notice consecutively in this period the work of the Society, and
its progress, in the different countries of Europe, to refer
the reader to a Tabular View, given in the Appendix, of
the occupation and movements of these devoted agents,
not only in order to a just estimate being formed of their
labours, but also to obviate the necessity of subsequent ex-
planations, when, as will often be the case, these journeys come
to be incidentally referred to in the course of the narrative.*
Labours of ^^^^ remarkable manner in which, through the Divine Pro-
Drs. Pa- vidence, these three servants of Christ, orio;inally destined to

tcrson ' > a J

Hcnder- Missionary enterprises, were led to connect themselves with
the work of the Bible Society, has been already described.
It has been also seen how large a share they had in intro-

* See Appendix II. Note A.

son, and
Pinkerton.

Central.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 335

ducing Bible operations into Denmark, Sweden, and Russia; EUROPE,
and how much their zealous, discreet, and persevering efforts quxp. II.
contributed to the establishment of the principal Bible So- 1814-29.
cieties formed in those countries. Nor were these objects sect.
accomplished without much journeying to and fro, both by land
and water. In the period of which we are now about to treat,
these labours became yet more abundant. Many countries
Avere visited ; immense districts were traversed, some of them
again and again ; and almost every part of Europe was pene-
trated, and, in some instances, Asia also touched upon, by these
Bible ambassadors, in pursuit of the one great object to which
they had consecrated themselves. These labours, in the case
of Drs. Paterson and Henderson, continued through nine or ten
years of the period before us : those of Dr. Pinkerton much
longer, as the sketch referred to will show.

From the brief outline given in the Appendix of the system of
visitation, if we may so designate it, which was carried on, during
a series of years, on the Continent, it will be readily imagined
how important an influence it must have had in promoting
the Society's objects. Fully to estimate the advantages derived
from these visits, it would be necessary to consult the volumi-
nous correspondence to which it gave rise, copious specimens
of which are found appended to the several Annual Reports
of the Society during the period. Indeed, the letters of Drs.
Paterson, Henderson, and Pinkerton. which are very nume-
rous, as well as those of Dr. SteinkopfF and Mr. Owen, may be
safely appealed to as among the most interesting documents
published by the Society. The information they furnish on a
variety of subjects connected with Biblical researches and
labours is truly valuable, whilst they also afford a pleasing
introduction to names most distinguished in the history of the
last half century, for their exertions in the cause of philan-
thropy and religion on the continent of Europe.

Following the course already pursued, we shall proceed to
review the division of Central and Northern Europe, resuming
the history of the several Bible Institutions which had then
come into existence ; and connecting with it whatever may
appear most worthy of notice in the proceedings of the
numerous Societies which afterwards sprang up, and which we

336

HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE,

Chap, II.
1814-29.

Sect. I.
Centeal.

Germany
and Switz-
erland.

Nether-
lands.
1814.

shall group together, as far as may be found practicable, that
we may not be led out too largely into details.

The first Bible Society formed for Germany was instituted,
as we have seen, at Nuremberg, whence it was, after a short
time, transferred to Basle. For several years the Basle Society
continued to be the principal source, from which most of the
neighbouring countries were supplied with the Holy Scriptures.
In 1812, as the result of Dr. Steinkopffs visit to the Conti-
nent, a Bible Society was established at Stuttgart, and at
Presburg; and also in several places in Switzerland, as
Zurich, Coire, Schaifhausen, St. Gall. But it was not till the
cessation of the war, that the way became open for the free
prosecution of the work. After that event, Societies, some of
them of considerable importance, quickly sprang up ; and the
years 1814, 1815, 1816, witnessed a large accession to these
much needed and valuable institutions.

The return of Dr. Pinkerton to Russia, in the summer of
IS 14, through Holland, Saxony, and Poland, led to the for-
mation of several Societies, of which the first in order was the
Netherlands Bible Society, established at Amsterdam, under
the Presidency of His Excellency M. Reel, Minister of the
Interior. Among other gratifying circumstances, it was
observed that many Roman Catholics subscribed themselves
members of it.

" The Society," writes Dr. Pinkerton, " which was formed
at Amsterdam on the 29th June 1814, bids fair to become a
powerful auxiliary in the cause of the Bible. The population
of the Seven United Provinces, according to a revision made
in 1810, is 2,151,268 souls; of whom, 1,239,871 belong to the
Reformed (Calvinistic) Church; 667,063 are of the Roman
Catholic persuasion; 157,403 are Lutherans ; and 46,000 are
Jews ; I do not mention the other smaller sects. The Bible is
to be found in the houses of the great majority of the Reformed,
but is not so generally possessed by the Lutherans, and but
very few Catholics are in possession of this treasure. On an
average, at least one-half of the whole population of Holland
may be considered in want of Bibles. Here is a great sphere
of operation for the Netherlands Bible Society ; to which may
be added the Foreign Colonies of the Dutch, and the exertions

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 337

which they are capable of making among the neighbouring EUROPE,
nations." The example of Amsterdam was soon after fol- cy^ u
lowed by Rotterdam, the Hague, and other cities of the Union. 1814-29.

The next was the Society of the Grand Duchy of Berg, skct! I.
This Society was established at Elberfeld, which, with Bar- Central.
men, is situated in the Upper Valley, a district famous in 1815.
Germany for the number of its manufactories. The sphere i3e,.g.
of the operation of this Society included a large population, of
which the great proportion were Catholics. It was reported Hanover,
to Dr. Pinkerton, on good authority, that many thousands of
them had never seen a Bible ; and that, among some, even the
meaning of the word Bible was unknown. Of this Society,
His Excellency Baron Von Gruener, Governor-General of the
Grand Duchy of Berg, became the President.

The Hanoverian Bible Society is next to be noticed. " In
Hanover, as in St. Petersburgh," writes Dr. Pinkerton, " I
saw the Lutheran, Calvinistic, and Roman Catholic Clergy
join hands to promote the good cause." The President of this
Society was His Excellency Baron Von Arnswald, Minister of
State, Privy Councillor, and President of the Ecclesiastical
Court. His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge con-
sented to be enrolled as its Patron.

At Berlin, Dr. Pinkerton had the pleasure of being present Prussia,
at the establishment of the Prussian Bible Society, under the
Presidency of His. Excellency Lieut.-General Von Diericke,
tutor to the Crown Prince of Prussia. The plan of the
Society had received the approval of His Prussian Majesty,
who confirmed its laws, and granted to the Society freedom of
the letter post. It was at this time, that the Berlin Bible
Society, which had existed since 1805, merged into the new
National Institution.

Dr. Pinkerton next proceeded to Dresden, where he had the Saxony,
happiness to witness the formation of the Saxon Bible Society,
under the Presidency of His Excellency Count Hohenthal,
the Minister for Religion.

In passing through Warsaw, Dr. Pinkerton held a preli- Poland,
minary meeting in the palace of Prince Czartoriski, a noble-
man of the first rank, talents, and respectability, for the pur-
pose of forming a Polish Bible Society; which object, however,
z

338 HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE, was not actually accomplislied till two years afterwards, when

Ch\p. II. ^* ^^^^ brought about by the benevolence and promptitude of

1814-29. the Emperor of Russia himself. Such, it was asserted, was

Sect. I. the want of Scriptures in that country, that a copy of the

Central. Bible was scarcely to be obtained at any price ; and it was

1CI5. only through the favour of the Prince, that Dr. Pinkerton was

able to obtain an old copy of Wuick's version to take with

him to St. Petersburgh.

Towards the establishment and operations of the above
Societies, the following grants were made by the British and
Foreign Bible Society: — To the Netherlands Bible Society,
£500; Berg, £300; Hanoverian, £500; Prussian, £500;
Saxon, £500.* A grant of £100 was also made to the Prus-
sian Bible Society for its Auxiliary at Potsdam ; and the like
sum presented to the Saxon Bible Society, for promoting an
edition of the Ncav Testament in the Wendish dialect, for the
use of the Wends, or Vandals, in Lusatia.
Turkish In was in the course of this tour, that Dr. Pinkerton com-

the' Script- i^^euccd that negociation with the Directors of the University
tures by of Leyden, which terminated in enabling the British and
Foreign Bible Society to print the Scriptures, for the first
time, in the pure Turkish language. This object was first
recommended to the attention of the Society by Dr. Pin-
kerton, during his visit to London. Having satisfied himself,
by an examination of the MS., that it was worthy f of the use
to which it had been proposed to apply it, he made the
necessary arrangements at Leyden for obtaining the loan of
the MS., and at Berlin for having it copied, revised, and

* For fuller details respecting- the formation of these Societies, see
Piiikerton's letters in the Appendix of the Report for 1815.

t The following- account of the author of this MS. was collected by
Jlr. Pinkerton, from various records in the library in which the MS.
was deposited : —

" Hali-Bey was born in Poland in the beginning of the 17t.h century.
His real name was Albertus Boboosky. While a youth he was stolen by
the Tartars, and sold to the Turks in Constantinojjle. By them he was
educated in the Mahomedan faith, and, when he grew up, became first
dragoman, or translator to Mahomet IV. He understood seve7iteen
languages, and is said to have spoken in French, German, and English,
like a native. He was very fond of the English language ; and, at the

request

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 339

edited. The individual who voluntarily charged himself with EUROPE.

this arduous service, was His Excellency Baron Von Diez, a ^^ ~ tt
^ . Chap. Jl,

Turkish scholar of great eminence, and Councillor of Legation 1814-29.
to the Court of Berlin, with whose qualifications and wilhng- gj," j
ness to undertake this work, an accidental conversation at Central.
Berlin brought Dr. Pinkerton acquainted.* - 1815.

While Dr. Pinkerton w^as thus successfully occupied on his
journey to St. Petersburgh in one direction, Dr. Paterson, to
whom a different route had been assigned, was no less dili-
gently and usefully engaged in advancing the objects of the
Society, in the various places which he had to pass through.
Taking Hamburgh on his way to the north of Europe, he as-
sisted in the formation of the Lubeck Bible Society, towards
which a grant was made of £100. His exertions proved
successful in promoting the formation of the Hamburgh- Altona
Bible Society, in which he was also assisted by the personal
efforts of Dr. Schwabe, Minister of the Lutheran Church
in Goodman's Fields, London, to whom the Society was in-
debted for many valuable services. To this Society a grant
was made of £300, and an additional sum of £100 to Bremen,
where also a Society was formed.

request of Mr. Boyle, translated the Clmrcli of Eng-land Catechism into
the Turkish. He also composed different works himself, several of which
have been published. But the chief of Hali-Bey's works is his Transla-
tion of the whole Bible into the Turkish language. This was undertaken
at the instig-ation, and under the direction, of the famous Levin Warner,
who was the Dutch Ambassador at the Court of the Grand Sultan at that
time ; and the translation appears to have been comj^leted about the year
1666, the very year in which Seaman's translation of the New Testa-
ment into Tartar- Turkish was ininted at Oxford. Hali-Bey's translation,
corrected and ready for the press, was sent to Leyden by Warner, in order
to be printed ; but this has never yet been done, and it still remains in
the library of that University, among- their valuable collection of Oriental
manuscripts,

*' Hali-Bey wrote also a Grammar and Dictionary of the Turkish
lang-uag-e ; but I have been unable, as yet, to learn what is become of
them and the Church Catechism, This wonderful man intended returning-
into the bosom of the Christian Church, but died before he accomplished
his design,"

* The work was afterguards revised and prmted by Professor Kieffer
at Paris ; and, after underg-oing- further and subsequent alterations, became
the version still in use by the Society.
z 2

340

IIISTORY OF THE

EUROPE.

Ch vp. IT.
1814-29.

Sect. I.
Central.

1815.

France

A Society was also formed at this time at Dantzic, after
the plan of the Prussian Bible Society, and another Society,
through the personal exertions of Dr. Schwabe, at Erfurt, in
the province of Thuringia, to which a grant was made of
£300. Branch Bible Societies were about the same time
formed by the United Brethren, at Hernnhut, Niesky, and
Kleinwelke, in connection with the Saxon Bible Society.

Having introduced the name of Dr. Schwabe, we may state,
that, in a journey which he made this year in behalf of the
Society, he visited Arnheim, Frankfort-on- the- Maine, Hanau,
the hilly parts of Saxony, Halle, Dresden, Berlin, Erfurt,
Hanover, Hamburgh, with many intermediate places, im-
parting and receiving much information relative to the Bible
work. In the course of this journey he distributed, in a
manner much to the satisfaction of the Committee of the
British and Foreign Bible Society, the sum of £300, en-
trusted to him for this purpose.*

In addition to the Bible Societies already formed in Switzer-
land, one was instituted this year at Lausanne, for the whole
of the Canton De Vaud, and also one at Geneva, to each
of which the sum of £200 was voted, on the condition that
their constitutions were conformable to the principles of the
British and Foreign Bible Society.

The way was not yet open for the formation of a Bil)le
Society in France ; but an endeavour was made to promote the
circulation of the Scriptures in that country by a donation of
£500 to the Consistories in Paris, for French Stereotype
Testaments for the use of Protestants, and a subscription of
£250 for a stereotype edition of De Sacy's New Testament, for
the use of the Roman Catholics in France.

Escape of
Napoleon
from Elba.

Europe, in 1815, once more became the scene of commotion,
alarm, and bloodshed. The escape of Napoleon Bonaparte
from his exile in Elba, and his temporary re-ascension to that
throne from which he had been so lately, and (as was pre-
sumed) finally deposed, broke, on a sudden, the repose of
Europe, and called again into military array the several

* For an interesting- report of this journey and distribution, see Ap-
pendix to Eleventh Eeport, 1S15.

BKITISn AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 341

Powers which were either returned, or preparing to return, EUROPE,
to the arts, the habits, and the blessings of peace. It were q^^^ h
impossible that a change so unexpected and momentous 1814-29.
should not occasion some embarrassment to works of bene- sect. I.
volence and pietj, in those countries more especially, from Central.
which the troops destined to act in this second confederacy 1815.
for the emancipation of Europe were either principally
drawn, or in which they were stationed and concentrated.
Nothwithstanding, however, the irruption of this flood, which
threatened in one way or other, to spread desolation in almost
every direction, little injury, comparatively, was sustamed by
the existing Bible Societies in any part of the Contment ; and in
some quarters no slight addition was made, both to their
number, and their effective organization and exertions.

Towards the close of May 1815, the Rev. Dr. Steinkopff set Tour by
out on another tour through Holland, Germany, and Switzer- ^^^q- ^^^'
land ; and, notwithstanding the difficvilties arising from the
various military movements, and the agitated state of the public
mind in that portion of the Continent, he had the satisfaction to
observe and report many indications of real progress, in the
great work of disseminating the Holy Scriptures among all
classes of people. In the course of this tour (of between
4000 and 5000 English miles). Dr. Steinkopff had opportuni-
ties of visiting the several Bible Societies in Holland, and
not a few of those in Geraiany and Switzerland; and also
of taking a personal share in the formation of some, which were
before in a state of preparation, and wanted only the presence
and counsel of so well-qualified an agent to bring them into
existence and active operation. The advantages resulting to
the general cause, fi'om this seasonable and well-conducted
visit, will best appear from the following rapid glance at its
course and progress.

In Holland, Dr. Stemkopff found the Netherlands Bible Holland.
Society, under which general head upwards of forty Societies
were comprised, enjoying the patronage of His Royal High-
ness the Prince of Orange, and embarked in its work. ]Many
Bible Associations had also been formed, and were in a state
of progressive advancement. In Amsterdam alone they
amounted to twenty-four.

342 HISTORY OF- THE

EUROPE. In Germany, tlie Grand Duchy of Berg Society exhibited

Ch.\p. II. pi'oofs of the most laudable activity ; and the Prussian Society

1814-29. more especially, under the auspices of His Prussian Majesty,

Sect. I. had entered on its operations with much vigour and success.

Central, jj-^ |ggg ^]^^j^ g^ jeav after its establishment, twelve Auxiliaries

1815. were instituted in different parts of the Prussian dominions.

^ In how great a degree their assistance was wanted, may be

Progress of . ° , ^ . , p

various Conceived by one cu'cumstance, among many others ot a

German ^° similar import stated in the first Report of the Prussian Society,

namely, that among 18,000 German, 7800 Polish, and 7000

Lithuanian families in Lithuania, not a single Bible was to be

found.

The Hanoverian Society was diligently engaged in obtaining
information as to the want of the Scriptures, in preparing for
their distribution, and in organizing Auxiliaries.

The Brunswick and the Wiirtemberg Societies were pro-
ceeding in their course with much zeal and activity ; so also
were those at Bremen, Hamburgh, Altona, and Lubeck.

At Marburg, Dr. Steinkoplf had an interview with Lean-
der Van Ess, whose zeal in circulating the Scriptures in the
Catholic provinces of Germany has been already alluded to.
It appeared that more than 60,000 copies of the New Testa-
ment had been printed by his exertions, and fresh editions were
in the press. His work was carried on under the sanction of
Episcopal authority. Of his spirit, as well as of his exertions.
Dr. SteinkopfF wrote in high terms. Similar commendation was
also given to Regens Wittman, Catholic professor at Ratisbon,
whose edition of the New Testament had proved very accept-
able in Catholic Germany, where that of Professor Van Ess
had not been received. To these names was added that of
the Rev. John Gosner, who had printed and circulated 10,000
copies of the New Testament among German Catholics, 5000
of which were disposed of in less than six weeks. To en-
courage these labours, the Society voted £500 to Leander Van
Ess, in addition to their former grants; £200 to Regens Witt-
man ; and £300 to Gosner, to enable him to print a second
edition of his Testament.

During the course of his journey through Germany, Dr.
SteinkopfF had the satisfaction to assist at the formation of six

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 343

Bible Societies; viz. one for tlie town and circle of Cleve; EUROPE,
the Osnaburg Society; the Koenigsfelcl Society, a small Insti- cm^ii.
tution in the middle of the Black Forest ; the Nassau Homburg 1814-29.
Society, under the sanction of their Serene Highnesses the Sect. I.
Landgrave of Hesse Homburg and the Duke and Prince So- Central.
vereign of Nassau ; the Frankfort Society; and a Society for 1815.
the Principalities of Neuwied and Wied Runkel. To encou-
rage the proceedings of these different Institutions, including
one at Wesel, sums amounting to £650 were allotted.

The Bible Societies in Switzerland, which came under tlie Switzer-
personal observation of Dr. Steinkopff were those of Schaff- ^° °
liausen, St. Gall, Zurich, and Basle. To these were presented,
in different proportions, the sum of £520, in consideration of
the great field opened, especially to the last named-Society, in
Germany, Switzerland, Alsace, and Italy. Dr. Steinkopff" had
also the pleasure to procure the establishment of a distinct
Society at Bern, to which £200 was allotted. Of those at
Coire, Lausanne, and Geneva, favourable information was
received. A new Society was formed this year for the Prin-
cipality of Neuchatel, and one also for the Waldenses, in-
habiting the valleys of Piedmont. A grant of £300 for Polish
and German Bibles was made to the Protestant Consistory in
Bohemia, and a donation of £500 to the Hungarian Bible
Institution at Presburg.

Sets of the Society's Reports and Versions were presented
by Dr. Steinkopff' to a number of Universities and public
libraries ; viz. to the Universities of Tubingen, Heidelberg,
Basle, Vienna, Gottingen, to the public library of Augsburg, and
the royal library of Munich, &c. This example has since been
followed, to a considerable extent, in other places ; by which
means a knowledge of the Society's labours has been extended,
and great interest, there is reason to believe, in many cases
excited.

In the sphere of operation now under review, the years 1816
and 1817 present little to detain us in the way of detail.
Several new Societies were formed, and, among those pre-
viously existing, considerable and laudable activity prevailed ;
so that, in regard to the dissemination of the Holy Scriptures, it
might with truth be said " the word of God grew mightily.

344

HISTORV OF THE

EUROPE.

Chap. II.
1814-29.

Sect. I.
Central.

1816.

Effort to
establish a
Society iu
Austria.

Papal

oppositiou.

and prevailed," The course of the Society was not, however,
even in its prosperous days, to be wholly uninterrupted and
successful.

Dr. Pinkerton, in an extensive tour which he accomplished
in 1816, through Russia, Poland, and Germany, made an
attempt to establish a national Bible Society for Austria. The
visit of their Imperial Highnesses, the Archdukes John and
Lewis, to this country in the spring of 1816, gave an oppor-
tunity of favourably introducing the Society to their notice,
and, through them, it was hoped, to the notice of their illustrious
brother the Emperor. Their Highnesses having expressed a
desire to be made acquainted with the principles and objects
of the Society, a deputation was appointed to w^ait upon them,
when Lord Teignmouth presented a set of the Society's
Reports and Versions for the Emperor, accompanied with a
written address, which their Highnesses very graciously and
pleasantly received.

When Dr. Pinkerton was in Vienna, in the autumn of the
year, he had repeated conversations with Prince Metternich, on
the subject of a Bible Society for Austria. The Prince treated
him with much affability, and encouraged him to draw up
a memorial and plan to be submitted to the Emperor. This, Dr.
Pinkerton accordingly did, and a document, carefully prepared,
was left in the hands of the Prince, who engaged to lay it
before the Emperor ;* but, soon after, circumstances occurred
which entirely dashed any rising hopes in that quarter.

The Court of Rome, with a bigoted consistency, of which it
might have been hoped that the better light of modern times
would have made it ashamed, interposed its authority, in more
instances than one, to check the progress of Bible Societies,
and to inhibit, under pain of the heaviest ecclesiastical cen-
sure, the free circulation of the Holy Scriptures among the
mass of the people.

The first effort of this sort which came to light, and which
seemed designed as the declaration of open hostilities, was a
Rescript, or Bull, addressed by the Sovereign Pontiff the Pope
to the Archbishop of Gnezen, the Metropolitan of Poland.

* l''or a copy of this valuable document, see Appendix to Thirteenth
Ut'purt, p. 'J5.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 345

Tliis prelate, being desirous of counteracting the efforts EUROPE,
making, in the spring of 1816, to form a Bible Society for chap! II.
Poland, applied to the Court of Rome for instructions how to 1814-29.
proceed. The result of this application was the Bull in ques- Sect. I.
tion. This memorable instrument, dated from Rome, the 29th Central.
of June 1816, and which described in no very courtly terms 1816.
the designs and proceedings of Bible Societies, commended
very highly the vigilance of the Archbishop, and exhorted
him to the most strenuous exertions to detect and oppose the
impious machinations of these innovators, and to wai'n the
people entrusted to his care against falling into the snares
prepared for their everlasting ruin. Encouraged by a Re-
script so congenial with his principles and views, the Polish
Metropolitan exerted himself with so much effect, as to arrest
the progress of measures for the formation of a Bible Society
at Warsaw, when on the point of reaching their accomplish-
ment. In this critical juncture. Dr. Pinkerton arrived ; and
having learnt the causes which had occasioned this temporary
failure, he resolved to lay the whole matter before the Emperor
Alexander, (who happened to be at that time at Warsaw,)
and to solicit His Majesty's patronage of the proposed Institu-
tion. The plan completely succeeded; and, on the 21st, a
meeting was held, at which the Bishop of Kuavia, the Mi-
nister for Religion and Education, Pototsky, with several other
noblemen, and the members of the original Committee, were
present ; when Prince Czartorisky, having fully described the
steps which had been taken to establish the Society, the op-
position which it had encountered, and the obstacles which had
hitherto prevented the Committee from realizing their inten-
tions, pronounced the existing difficulties removed by the de-
termination of His Imperial Majesty to put himself at the head
of the Institution. 'Thus, in the course of a few days,'
(observes Dr. Pinkerton,) * after struggling against powerful
opposition for upwards of two years, the Polish Bible Society
is ready to go forth to the public of Poland, under the special
patronage of their gracious Emperor and King, and some of
the first personages among the nobility and clergy.*

* This interesting- fact is, to preserve the connection, introduced here,
tlK)ug-h, with the incident that follows, bearing more strictly on the
^Northern division of Kurope.

346

HISTORY OF THE

Chap. II,
1814-29.

Sect. I.
Central

1816.

EUROPE. The next step In the course of Papal opposition, was a
monitory Brief from the same liigh quarter, addressed to the
venerable Stanislaus, Archbishop of Moghiley, and Catholic
Metropolitan of Russia. The offence for which this aged and
enlightened prelate is reproved, consisted in having recom-
mended to his clergy the free circulation of the Holy Scrip-
tures among the people, and the encouragement and support of
the Russian Bible Society. The Archbishop is reminded that
the occupiers of the Papal chair have always inculcated ' that
if the Holy Scriptures are allowed in the vulgar tongue, every-
where without discrimination, more injury than benefit would
thence arise;' and the Metropolitan is admonished to retract
the error he had committed, ' by declaring, sincerely and
plainly, in a fresh letter to the people, that Christian truth and
doctrine, as well dogmatical as moral, are contained, not in the
Scriptures only, but also in the traditions of the Catholic
Church ; and that it belongs to the Church herself alone to
interpret them both.'

It is pleasing to have to say that neither the severity
of reproof, nor the tenderness of expostulation, employed
in this elaborate and artful appeal, had any effect in re-
claiming the Russian dignitary from a practice which, (to use
the just and eloquent language of a Protestant bishop,) ' if it
be a crime, is one of a very singular nature ; for our Sa-
viour set the example, the Apostles followed It, and God
himself has commanded and sanctioned it."*

But while the direct object of these several Bulls was thus,
in each case, providentially defeated, care was taken by the
emissaries of the Roman Pontiff that their effect should not be
lost, in any quarter where an implicit recognition of his
authority was likely to ensure them a welcome reception. In
this latter respect they but too well succeeded. Austria and
Bavaria acted fully up to the spirit of these prohibitory
Rescripts. The Austrian Court, from an Influence of this
description, was Induced to reject altogether the project for a
Bible Society, presented by Mr. PInkerton through Prince
Metternich ; and to take effectual measures for excluding the

Partially
successful.

* Tliu Bibhup of Cloyue, (Owcii; Vol. II. p. 340.)

BIIITISII AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 347

good offices of the existing Bible Societies, not only from the EUROPE,
imperial, but also from the hereditary dominions of the house cnAp! II.
of Austria. Their exclusion from the latter was accomplished 181-1-29.
by the publication of an edict on the part of the Hungarian Sect. I.
Government, and a declaration of the Archbishops and Bishops Central.
of Hungary to a similar eftect.* 1SI6.

To show how rigorously it was executed, we may mention,
that three chests, containing upwards of 400 Bohemian Bibles,
were forcibly seized, and only delivered up, after a long and
vexatious detention, on condition of the individual to whom
they had been consigned engaging that they should be ex-
ported at his own expense out of the country ; and this at a
time when the Bohemian Protestants were in the greatest dis-
tress for Bibles.

Bavaria also yielded to the same influence, and acted with
similar rigour. The Nuremberg Bible Society (the first of the
kind formed on the Continent) was suppressed by an order of
this Government, in the spring of 1817.

Not to mention the privation to which the Protestants in
Austria were reduced by this Papal interference ; the demoli-
tion of the Hungarian Bible Society, and the exclusion of
nearly a million and a half of Protestants in that country from
the privilege of receiving the Holy Scriptures on terms
adapted to the extreme poverty of their circumstances, are
among the triumphs, of which its abettors may exultingly
boast !

But whilst, by these proceedings, the Papal head of the
Romanist Church sought to arrest the pure stream of the

* The prohibitory clause of this edict (which was dated from Biida, De-
cember 23, 1816, and put a period to the Hungarian Bible Society-) is in
the following terms : —

" Considering that the London Bible Association has caused the esta-
bhshment of several affihated Societies, particularly in Germany ; and that
several such Associations in the imperial hereditary dominions, particu-
larly among the Protestants, have a more intimate connection in view ;
His Sacred Majesty has been graciously pleased to ordain that care be
taken that printed copies of the Bible be not circulated gratis, or at a low
price, by such foreign Associations, and Societies in His jNIajesty's here-
ditary dominions, nor the establisliment of a Bible Association be
allowed."

348 HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE, word of God as it was flowing to the different nations of the
Chap II ^ai'th, it is a pleasure to contemplate the prospei'ous efforts
1814-29. which illustrious individuals of that Church were making in
Sect. I. ^^ opposite direction. From the testimony of a Catholic no-
Central. bleman, it appeared that the Testaments of Gosner circulated
1816-17. very extensively among members of that communion, and that
Conti J applications were made for them from the remotest parts of
efforts of Bavaria, Suabia, and the Rhenish Provinces. Nor was
Van^ETs Leander Van Ess in the least deterred from his efforts in dis-
and Gosner. seminating the Holy Scriptures. He continued to pursue his
career with an intrepidity and perseverance, increased rather
than diminished by the difficulties and perils to which he saw
himself exposed. Sustained in his undertaking by the mu-
nificent grants of the Society, and by the sanction of some
ecclesiastical dignitaries, he printed and dispersed successive
editions of his New Testament,* and had the happiness to
witness their increased circulation, against all attempts to ob-
struct or abridge it.

Five thousand roubles were voted to him, in aid of his funds
for distributing the Sacred Scriptures, by the Russian Bible
Society, with the express concurrence of the Roman Catholic
and the Greek Metropolitans of Russia. Through the as-
sistance he received from all quarters, in two years ending-
June 1818, he distributed 233,341 copies of his Catholic New
Testament, beside 5314 Bibles and 2800 Testaments of Luther's
version among Protestants.
Mr. Owen's ^he Bishop of Constance, Baron Von Wessenberg, his pro-
Vicar, Reiningen, and many other respectable individuals,
both Clergy and Laity, also continued to distribute Catholic
Testaments among the German and French Catholics, in
Switzerland and the contiguous countries.

The visit to the Continent, in 1818, of the Rev. John
Owen, the Secretary of the Parent Society, whose impaired
state of health had rendered such a change necessary, proved,
in the several places through which he passed, highly in-
teresting and gratifying to the friends of the Institution,

* In the Appendix of Fourteenth Report will be found many testimonies
in favour of Van Ess's version.

visit to the
Continent,

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 349

whom he cheered by his presence, as well as stimulated by his EUKOPE.
comisels. ^ ^ ^ Ch.^. II.

At Paris he took measures for the forming of a Bible So- 1814-29.
ciety for the Protestants of France — the utmost extent to Sect. I.
which, at that time, such a project was allowed — which was Central.
shortly after established, under the name of the "Protestant 1818.
Bible Society," at Paris. To this, m course of time, a con-
siderable number of Auxiliaries, or Auxiliary Committees,
became attached. While at Paris, Mr. Owen had an oppor-
tunity of conferring with Professor KieflFer on the "progress of
the revision and printing of the Turkish Scriptures, a work on
which the learned Professor was found to be employing his
utmost care.

Mr. Owen then proceeded to Strasburg and Basle. On his
way to the latter place he turned aside to visit the celebrated
Pastor Oberlin, one of the earliest foreign correspondents of
the Society. With this venerable man, who for half a century
had so diligently and successfully cultivated the sequestered
sphere of labour which Providence had assigned to him among
the mountains of Ban de la Roche, Mr. Owen spent a happy
Sabbath, enjoying and rejoicing in the pleasing scene which he
was allowed the privilege of witnessing.*

The impressions left on Mr. Owen's mind by these are de-
scribed in the following letter from Basle, dated September
16, 1818:—

" The place from whence my last was dated, Waldbach, has Ban de la
completely filled my mind, and laid such hold on my warmest ^°^'^^'
affections, that I can scarcely bring myself to think, or speak,
or write, on any thing but Pastor Oberlin, and his Ban de la
Roche. You will remember that the first foreign letter which
awakened an interest in our minds, the letter which
made its way most directly to our hearts, and which, at the
celebration of our first Anniversary, produced the strongest,
(and, if I may judge of others from myself,) the most lasting
impression upon us all, was that wherein this venerable Pastor
reported the distribution he proposed to make of the Bibles
assigned to him, and drew, with the hand of a master, the

* For an interesting account of this visit, see his Letters, Appendix to
the Fifteenth Report.

350 niSTOKY OF THE

EUROPE, characters of tliose women who laboured with him in the Go-
— spel, and to wliom, as tlie higliest remuneration he could
1814-29. bestow, and their ambition coveted, a Bible was to be pre-
Se^.I. sented.*

Central. « I cannot describe the sensations with which I entered
1^8. the mountainous parish (containing five villages and three
churches) in which this primitive Evangelist, who for more
than half a century has occupied this station, exercises his
functions ; and still less those with which I entered his resi-
dence, and approached his venerable person. The reception
he gave me was such as, from the profound humility of his
character, might have been anticipated. My visit to him and
his flock was wholly unexpected ; and when I announced to
him, in my introduction, that I appeared before him as the
Secretary of the British and Foreign Bible Society, to testify,
on their part, the respect and affection with which they re-
garded him, as one of the earliest and most interesting of their
foreign correspondents, the good man took me by the hand,
and drew me gently towards the seat which he usually oc-
cupies, exclaiming, but without any turbulence of either voice
or manner — ' Sir, this is too great an honour : how shall I
answer words like these?' After the first emotions had sub-
sided, our conversation became familiar; and as it never
ceased, from that time to the moment of our separation, to
tm'n, more or less, upon the things pertaining to the kingdom
of God, as they appeared in the small scale of his own, or the
great scale of the Bible Society's labours, it never ceased to
be deeply interesting, and pregnant with edification.
A Sabbath " The Sunday exhibited this venerable man in his pastoral
Pasto7'^'^ character, under which it had been so much my desire (might
Oberlin. it but be permitted me) to see him. As he makes the circuit
of his churches, the turn on this Sunday belonged to Belmont,
distant about half a league from the parsonage of Waldbach.
At ten o'clock we began to move. Mr. Oberlin took the lead
in his ministerial attire, a large beaver and flowing wig,
mounted on a horse brought for that purpose, according to
custom, by one of the bourgeois of the village, whose turn it
was to have the honour of fetching his pastor, and receiving
* See Owen, Vol. I. p. 151.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 351

liiiii to dinner at his table. I rode as nearly beside him as the EUROPE,
narrow track would allow. Mr. Ronneberg, accompanied by q^~ jj
Mr. Daniel Le Grand, followed. The rear was brought up Hii4-29.
by the bourgeois before mentioned, carrying a leathern bag, se^. I.
slung across his shoulders, which contained the other part of Central.
his minister's dress, his books, &c. ; and a respectable peasant I8I8.
as an attendant on the general cavalcade. I will not detain
you by particulars, which, however interesting, would draw
me too far from the main object of my attention. I will only
say, that the appearance of the congregation, their neat and
becoming costume, their order, and their seriousness, together
with the fervour, tenderness, and simplicity, with which the
good minister addressed them, both in his sermon in the
morning, and his catechetical lecture in the afternoon, con-
veyed to my mind the most delightful impression — that of a
sincere and elevated devotion. The interval between the ser-
vices was passed, partly in dining at the house of the happy
bourgeois, (for the duty of fetching and entertaining their
pastor is, in the estimation of this simple people, a privilege of
the highest order,) and partly in visiting some of the ex-
cellent individuals, both men and women, but particularly the
latter, in which this part of the parish abounds. The affability
and graceful condescension with which the pastor saluted
every member of his flock, wherever he met them, and the
affectionate reverence with which young and old returned the
salutation, were peculiarly pleasing : it was, on both sides, if a
ceremony at all, the ceremony of the heart. On our return
to the parsonage, the evening was passed in edifying con-
versation, and concluded by a French hymn, in which all the
household united. On the ensuing morning, I had the honour
of conveying my venerable host, amidst the bowings of his
parishioners, (who gazed with wonder at the unusual sight of
their stationary pastor seated in a travelling carriage,) to the
house of Messrs. Le Grand, in Fouday, another of the
villages in this extensive parish. Here we breakfasted ; and,
after much pleasing conversation with this amiable, benevolent,
and well informed family, I had the high honour of being in-
troduced to Sophia Bernard and Catherine Scheidegger ! *
* The excellent women referred to in Pastor Oberliu's first letter.

352

HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE.

CHAr. II.
1814-29.

Sect. I.
Central.

Strasburg.
Basle.

Geneva.

Marua Sclicpler, tlie second on tlie list of tliis memorable trio,
had, I found, been removed to her rest : the two whom I have
mentioned, and who now stood before me, remained to fill np
the measure of their usefulness in the work of their Lord.
Never shall I forget the manner in which these interesting
peasants received me, when, addressing them by name, I told
them that I had known them nearly fourteen years, and that
the account of their services, communicated to us by the
pastor whom they so greatly assisted, had been instrumental
in stirring up the zeal of many to labour after their example.
' Oh Sir,' said Sophia Bernard, (the tears filling her eyes at
the time,) ' this does indeed humble us ;' adding many pious
remarks in relation to their obscurity, the imperfection of
their works, and the honour they considered it to labour for
Him who had done so much, yea, every thing for them. The
scene was truly affecting. It was not without many an effort
that I tore myself from it, and hurried from Ban de la Roche,
that seat of simplicity, piety, and true Christian refinement, to
resume my journey along the beaten road, and to pursue my
object among scenes which, whatever pleasures I had to expect,
would suffer in the comparison with those which I had left
behind me."

At Strasburg, Mr. Owen, in the name of the Society, offered
the sum of £200 to assist in bringing out an important edition
of the French Scriptures ; and at Basle, where he paid a second
visit, and where he was joined by Dr. Pinkerton and Mr.
Blumhardt, then on an extensive tour, several plans were
adopted for assisting and extending the work, to encourage
which, two grants of £500 each, were conditionally made, and
afterwards cheerfully confirmed by the Society at home. The
labours of the Basle Society still continued to be among the
most important in that part of the Continent.

Most of the principal Societies in Switzerland shared the
benefits of Mr. Owen's visit ; as, for instance, those at Shaff-
hausen, Constance, St. Gall, Coire, Zurich, Neuchatel, Bern,
Lausanne, and Geneva.

The last named city engaged, for several days, his most
anxious attention. Here he had to encounter difficulties of no
ordinary kind, owing to the divided and distracted state of

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 353

religious parties. He succeeded, however, at length, in making EUROPE,
some new arrangements, with a view of rendering the Geneva q^~ jj_
Bible Societj more efficient. 1814-29.

Mr. Owen deeply felt the trying circumstances in which he Sect, I.
found himself placed at Geneva, and his health suffered not a ^'entral.
little from the efforts he was called to make. Nor did his 1820.
measures, after all, escape the censure of some parties ; hut
it is difficult to conceive how any one could have acted with
more circumspection, and with a more evident and earnest
endeavour to do that, and that only, which was befitting the
representative of a body constituted as is the British and
Foreign Bible Society.*

The visit of Mr. Owen appears to have been followed by
many important results. The experience he carried with him,
and the encouraging communications he was authorised to
make, could scarcely fail to produce a useful effect. In fact,
the hands of the diligent were materially strengthened ; many
who had hitherto regarded the work with little concern, or
even absolute indifference, were roused to exertion ; and mea-
sures were concerted, which, possessing more vigour and
system than those hitherto employed, were, on that account,
better calculated to attain the desired end.

The worlaof the Society was still reaping the fruit of Mr.
Owen's visit to France and Switzerland, when two years after,
namely, in 1820, Dr. Steinkopff passed over the same ground, ^.^^j. ^^
and extended his tour through a large part of Germany. This Dr. Stein-
was the fourth journey on the Continent, undertaken on behalf through
of the Society by the Foreign Secretary. It occupied from Germany,
the middle of May to the end of November. In this journey,
besides the communications he had with numerous friends of
the Institution in France and Switzerland, Dr. Steinkopff"
visited forty-nine Bible Societies in Germany, and assisted at
the formation of nine of that number.

One striking feature in this tour, indicating strangely the
growing interest felt by the people at large in the Society's
object, was the large numbers who assembled on week-days,
as well as on the Sabbath, to hear the cause of the Society

* See his letters, a.s above.
A A

354 iiiSTorvY or the

EUROPE, advocated from the pulpit. Thus at Winterthur, in the Canton
Cii\T IT ^^ Zurich, on a week-day morning, a congregation of nearly
1814-20. 3000 people assembled in the large church. About twelve
Sect. I. clergymen Avere seated round the altar : the magistrates of the
Central, t^^jj gat opposite the pulpit. After an appropriate hymn was
1 !!20. sung, the Rector introduced the business of the day, and Dr.
Steinkopff related the rise and progress of the Society.

At Ludwigsburg, Dr. Steinkopffs native place, he addressed
a congregation of 2000 persons ; and, in a large church at
Dresden, 4000 were computed to be present on a like
occasion. At Stuttgart he had to preach ten sermons. " The
people crowded to their places of worship : from 1500 to
2000, and even 4000, were assembled, and they listened with
an eagerness, attention, and solemnity, which enlarged the
mind, and called forth the best feelings of the heart." At the
cathedral at Ulm, about 4000 persons were present. After
the sermon, the friends of the Bible were invited to meet in
the vestry, for the purpose of forming a Bible Society. It
soon so overflowed, that it was found necessary to hold
the meeting in the body of the church. The magistrates
and clergy came forward with great readiness, setting
an example that was worthily folloAved by their fellow-citi-
zens.

It would occupy us too much to follow Dr. Steinkopff
through the whole of this interesting journey. It may be
sufficient to say in general, that, in the several countries visited
by him, he found much that was encouraging. In France,
the Protestant Bible Society was entering on its work with
vigour. The National Prussian Society, at the anniversary
of which Dr. Steinkopff was so fortunate as to be present,
was, under the patronage of the King and Royal Family,
making good progress. The number of its Auxiliaries had
risen to thirty-eight, not including smaller Associations. Its
issues had exceeded 44,000 copies ; in addition to which the
Auxiliaries had, in one year, issued above 40,000 more. At
Basle, at Zurich, at Stuttgart, at Dresden, at Cologne, as
well as numerous places of less note, he found the Society
flourishing. He, as well as Mr. Owen, was delighted by a
visit which he paid to Pastor Oberlin. Nor was he less

BRITISH AND FOEEIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 355

satisfied with the continued and devoted activity of Leandor EUROPE.
Van Ess, who had become a very active and important ch^~ u
Agent in the work of Scripture distribution. The total 1BI4-29.
number of Bibles and Testaments, circulated by him up to Sect. I.
the preceding June 1820, amounted to 388,888 copies. The <"-''entral.
opposition which he had now to encounter in some quarters 1823.
was very severe : many who had formerly assisted him had
become intimidated ; but amidst it all, the zealous Professor
stood firm, determined as ever to prosecute the work which he
judged the providence of God had assigned to him. His
accounts and documental papers, duly inspected by a Com-
mittee of three respectable gentlemen, were laid before Dr.
Steinko'pff, who expressed his strong conviction that every
thing was transacted with perfect integrity and order.

Among numerous instances of kindness received by Dr.
SteinkopfF during this journey, from persons of distinction and
rank, expressive of their goodwill to the Society, may be
specified his interview with the Queen of Wurtemberg, and
also with the Dowager Queen, formerly Princess Royal of
Great Britain, both of whom showed themselves much in-
terested in the object of his mission.

In 1823, Dr. SteinkopfF, at the request of the Committee,
paid another visit to the Continent. In this journey, which
occupied between three and four months, he travelled over
much the same ground as on the former occasion ; comprising
in his tour the principal places and Societies in the Netherlands,
Switzerland, and parts of Germany. It was his privilege
again to enjoy much pleasant intercourse with numerous friends
of the Society, and his heart was refreshed and gladdened by
the tokens of zeal and activity in the cause of the Society,
which, for the most part, he witnessed. This zeal and activity
he sought, in various ways, to stimulate and encourage, and
not without success. The assistance he was empowered to
render, or to promise, from the Parent Society, made him a
peculiarly welcome visitant to Societies weak in their resources,
or struggling with difficulties ; and the spirit of catholicity
and Christian suavity, of which he was himself so happy an
example, would seem to have been much promoted by the
fellowship he was permitted to enjoy with the friends of religion

A A 2

356

IIISTOIIY OF THE

EUROPE.

Chap. II.
1814-29.

Sect. I.
Central.

1823.

Interval of
the highest
efficiency
of the Cou-
tinental
Societies.

wlierever he went. His letters, to which again we refer, give
full evidence of the benefit, as well as pleasure, it was his
happiness to impart.

One more journey of Dr. Steinkopif remains to be referred
to. Ife- took place in 1826, and was the last he made in the
service of the Society before he resigned his office of Foreign
Secretary ; an event which took place shortly after his return.
This journey was of shorter duration than most of his former
ones, and does not afford occasion for extended comment. The
Continental Societies were beginning to be agitated on a subject,
of which further notice will soon have to be taken — the exclu-
sion of the Apocrypha.

From the year 1821 to 1825 inclusive, the Bible Societies
on the Continent presented their fairest picture of prosperity.
During these years their connection with the British and
Foreign Bible Society remained unbroken and undisturbed ;
for the Apocryphal controversy, which, during a great part of
the time, • agitated the Society at home, was not felt in its
influence by the 'Societies abroad, till the above period was
drawing to a close. The Parent Society in London still con-
tinued to extend very liberal aid, both in books and money,
to the numerous kindred Institutions in foreign countries ;
and they, in return, were stimulated and encouraged to put
forth, in every direction, new and vigorous efforts towards
the attainment of the object so unceasingly pressed on their
attention. The accounts received during this period, from
the numerous countries and Societies contained within the
circle more immediately under review, abound with number-
less proofs of a deep and wide-spread interest in the Society's
work ; but for details, we must be content to refer to the
Society's Reports, and the valuable correspondence appended.
A cursory glance at the several countries is all that will be
here attempted.

In France, the cause of the Society made rapid and grati-
fying progress. The Protestant Society in Paris found itself,
in 1822, supported by thirty -six Auxiliaries, one Consistorial
Society, twenty-eight Branches, and forty-nine Associations, of
which seventeen existed in Paris alone, and by the next year
these seventeen were increased to thirty-four. Among the

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 357

Auxiliaries were those of Montauban, Bordeaux, Lyons, EUROPE.
Montpelier, &c. ^ ^ ChaT. 11.

Wliile the Protestant Scriptures were being thus diffused 1814-29.
among the Lutheran and Reformed Churches in France, con- Sect. I.
siderable progress was also made in promoting among the Central.
Roman Catholics a dissemination of the version of De Sacy, 1824.
of which 30,000 copies were printed in the year 1821, As the
Protestant Bible Society at Paris was precluded by its con-
stitution from taking any part in this undertaking, it was
executed through the medium of a direct Agent, in whose judg-
ment and rectitude the Society in London considered that
every degree of confidence might be placed.* Amongst the
channels in which the Roman Catholic Scriptures were thus
made to circulate, were the schools of mutual instruction,
prisons, hospitals, and asylums. The first offer of New Testa-
ments was made to the Society for Mutual Instruction, and was
received with gratitude. A similar offer was accepted in very
gratifying terms by the Duke de la Rochefoucault, on the part
of the Council of Administration for the prisons of Paris ; nor
was the Council of Administration of the hospitals and alms-
houses, less prompt to accept and acknowledge the offer made
to them. Through these and similar mediums, a considerable
distribution continued for many years to be effected.

In 1824, Dr. Pinkerton visited Paris for the purpose of
inspecting the state of the foreign versions, at that time
printing there for the Society, namely, the Turkish Bible, the
Syriac and Carshun New" Testament, and the Modern Arme-
nian Testament. These works w^ere found to be in satisfactory
progress, and in course of time were all completed. He had
also communications with Baron Sylvestre de Sacy, and other
learned men, relative to the Persian and Coptic versions, to-
gether with the Chinese, INIantchou, and other Eastern versions.

The Strasburg Bible Society, which, though in communi-
cation with that at Paris, still maintained a direct connection with
the British and Foreign Bible Society, had published a large
edition of the Bible, to which was annexed a preface from the
pen of Dr. Haffner, one of the distinguished members of that

* Professor Kieffcr, who for some years sustained this office.

358 HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE. Society. As soon as this circumstance became known at Earl
Chap II. Street, a remonstrance was immediately transmitted, and
1814-29. measures taken to obtain a separation of the preface from the
Sect. I. books in question. This was at hist effectually accomplished.
Central, ^yjien Dr. Pinkerton was at Strasburg in 1821, by the with-
1824. drawal of the preface by the Professor liimself; a friend
taking upon himself to defray the expense of the whole im-
pression, and the Society there, at the same time, entering on
its Minutes a pledge that nothing of the kind should again
occur. The affair thus amicably, and, as it was thought, satis-
factorily settled, became, some years afterwards, during the
Apocryphal controversy, the ground of a serious charge
against the Society at home, in consequence of which, the
whole correspondence on the subject was printed, and laid
before the friends of the Society, as already mentioned in the
history of that controversy.*

The Netherlands Bible Society, in addition to its efforts for the
supply of the population at home, had become actively engaged
in behalf of the Dutch Settlements abroad, at Amboyna,
Sumatra, and other places. For the benefit of these distant
colonies, an edition of the Malay Bible in Arabic character
was printed at Amsterdam, and assistance was also sent to
Societies in the East, wdiere we shall again meet with some
of the evidences of the persevering zeal of this Society.
After a time. Auxiliaries were formed, in connection with it,
at Antwerp and Brussels.

Of the numerous and important Societies in Switzerland
and Germany, during the period of which we are speaking,
it is pleasing to have to make honourable mention. For the
most part, their zeal and -activity suffered little or no dimi-
nution. Basle still took a prominent lead among the Con-
tinental Societies. It continued with judgment and activity
an extensive distribution of the Scriptures in French, Ger-
man, and Italian. The Parent Society's Monthly Extracts
of Correspondence, in a German translation, to the number of
10,000, were circulated in every direction, and are represented
to have been productive of much good effect.

The revised edition of Ostervald's French Bible, in quarto,
* See Part I. Chap. vii.

BRITISH AND FOREICxX BIBLE SOCIETY. 359

was, after the lapse of some years, completed at Lausanne in ^^UROPE.
1822. 10,000 copies were printed, towards which the Society Chap. II.
contributed £750. Four years were occupied in the execution ^^'^2^-
of the work, under the superintendence of several pastors and Sect. I.
professors, of whom Professor Levade was chief. When ^^™^^'
finished, it was found that some notes, not as it would seem '^^5.
objectionable in themselves, were found in it. This departure
from the principle of the Society, and the avowed engagement
of the parties, led to immediate remonstrance on the part of the
Committee in Earl Street, and was followed by explanations and
expressions of deep regret, and a strong admonition against the
recurrence of such a cu'cumstance in future. The revised text,
on the whole, obtained a high character. This is the cele-
brated edition of the French Bible, about which so much was
said and written at the time of the Apocrypha Controversy.
In this case, as well as in that of the Strasburg Preface, the
Committee of the Parent Society felt themselves called upon,
with a view to their own justification, to publish the whole of
their correspondence on the subject.*

In Germany, Leander Van Ess found the circle of his con-
nection extending, and his labours experienced no abatement.
By the close of the year 1824, his issues had increased to
550,000 ; and about the same time, the translating and printing
of the Old Testament was completed.

In Hanover, in Saxony, and especially in Prussia, the work
of the Society continued to be prosecuted with considerable
vigour. The King of Prussia gave, in 1825, on the application
of the Minister of Ecclesiastical Affairs, his sanction, under his
sign manual, for an annual collection in all the Protestant
Churches of the kingdom, to promote the circulation of the Bible.

Dr. Pinkerton made, in 1825, an important tour through
a large part of Germany, in the course of which he
visited seven kingdoms. He bears the following testimony as
the result of his observations. "I cannot," he observes,
"sufficiently bless God for the innumerable proofs which I
have had, that everywhere (and I have visited the chief So-
cieties in Germany) the work of Bible distribution is pro-
ceeding with more or less vigour ; and that everywhere it is
* See Part I. as above.

360 HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE, productive of good, more or less, and is acknowledged to be a
Chap! IT powerful instrument in the hand of Providence, in these awful
1814-29. times, for preserving alive among the people the faith and

Sect. I. practice of genuine Christianity."
Central.

1826. We have now arrived at a period when a considerable mo-

The Apo- dification took place, in the relations of the Continental So-

crypha cietles to the Society at home, occasioned by the agitation and

settlement of the Apocrypha question. It is not necessary

here to go again over the grounds, which led the Committee of

the Parent Society to adopt the resolutions which were finally

agreed upon, in regard to the exclusion of the Apocrypha, and

which, by the Annual Meetings of 1826 and 1827, were made

part of the fundamental regulations of the Society. The whole

subject has been already explained in the former part of this

history ; it now remains to show the results of the conclusion

arrived at, in regard to foreign countries.

Circular to In the spring of 1826, the following official circular letter

BiWe^So- ^^'^^ addressed to Foreign Bible Societies : —

cieties. "British and Foreign Bible Society Houses

"London, February 10, 1826.
" We beg leave to inform you that important reasons have
induced the Committee of the British and Foreign Bible So-
ciety to adopt the subjoined Resolution : —

" * That the funds of the Society be applied to the printing
and circulation of the Canonical Books of Scripture, to the
exclusion of those books, and parts of books, which are usually
termed Apocryphal; and that all copies printed, either en-
tirely or in part, at the expense of the Society, and whether
such copies consist of the whole, or of any one or more of
such books, be invariably issued bound ; no other books what-
ever being bound with them : and further, that all money
grants to Societies or individuals be made only in conformity
with the principle of this regulation.'

" While the Committee of the British and Foreign Bible
Society have adopted this regulation for their own guidance,
nothing is further from their intention than to interfere, in the
smallest degree, with the religious views and opinions, or with
the rites and usages, of foreign Churches : they respect that

BRITISH AXD FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 361

liberty of conscience in others, which they themselves so EUROPE,
happily enjoy. ^ ^ ^ ^ Cn.^. II.

" The Committee of the British and Foreign Bible Society l»l4-29.
embrace this opportunity of assuring all their continental Sect. I.
brethren of their most unfeigned Christian regard, and of Central.
their anxious desire to contribute as liberally as possible to the 18_'6.
Foreign Societies, consistently with their present Resolution ;
and they shall deem it their privilege and happiness invariably
to maintain that pleasing bond of harmony and union,
which has so long and so beneficially subsisted between the
British and Foreign Bible Society and the kindred Institutions
of the Continent.

" We remain, respectfully,

Your obedient humble Servants,
(Signed) A. Brandram, "J

Jos. Hughes, \ Secretaries:'

C. F. A. Steinkopff,)

Considerable sensation seems to have been produced by
this communication; and in the course of a few months,
twenty-five Societies on the Continent sent a reply to it.
Very few of these Societies expressed themselves as con-
curring in the views of the British and Foreign Bible So-
ciety : most of them manifested decided repugnance to the
measure. Among these were the National Societies of Prussia,
Hanover, Saxony, Denmark, Sweden, and the important So-
cieties of Frankfort, Basle, Bern, Zurich, Lausanne, Geneva,
Paris, and some others. Some of these went so far as to de-
cline grants even of Testaments : the greater part, however,
though unprepared to give up the circulation of the Apo-
crypha themselves, yet were willing to accept of, and distribute.
Bibles without the Apocrypha, or at least Testaments, on the
terms held out by the British Society. The remonstrances of
some of the principal Societies were given at great length, and
with much earnestness, though with respectful and grateful
acknowledgment of the liberal aid which had been heretofore
extended to them.*

* For a specimen of the reasoning- and arg-ument em}iloyed in these
documents, see Appendix II. Note 13. ; also Appendix of T\vent3^-third
Report, where they are given very much at length.

362

HISTORY OF THE

Chap. II,
1814-29.

Sect. I.
Central

1826.

Second

Circular,

1«27.

EUROPE. It appearing, however, from many of the above documents,
that the views and intention of the Bible Society, and the prin-
ciples on which their future proceedings were to be guided,
were in many quarters not fully understood, it was thought
well, in the spring of the following year, to issue another cir-
cular, which was as follows : —

" It is with much regret that the Committee of the British
and Foreign Bible Society have perceived, through different
communications addressed to them by their continental cor-
respondents, that in several instances their recent proceedings
relative to the Apocrypha have been misunderstood.

" The object of the present letter is to communicate to you
a copy of the Resolutions passed at the 22d Anniversary on
that subject, and distinctly to state the extent of that assistance
which the British and Foreign Bible Society is still able to
affbrd to its foreign associates.

"At the Twenty- second Anniversary of the British and
Foreign Bible Society, held in London, May 3, 1826, the
Right Hon. Lord Teignmouth, President, in the Chair, the
following Resolutions were unanimously adopted: —

"1st. 'That the fundamental law of the Society, which
limits its operations to the circulation of the Holy Scriptures,
be fully and distinctly recognised as excluding the circulation
of the Apocrypha.

" 2d. ' That, in conformity to the preceding Resolution, no
pecuniary aid can be granted to any Society circulating the
Apocrypha, nor, except, for the purpose of being applied in
conformity to the said Resolution, to any individual whatever.

" 3d. ' That in all cases in which grants, whether gratuitous
or otherwise, of the Holy Scriptures, either in whole or in part,
shall be made to any Society, the books be issued bound, and
on the express condition that they shall be distributed Avithout
alteration or addition.''

" By the preceding Resolutions it will appear that the Com-
mittee cannot make any grants of money to such Societies as
apply their funds to the circulation of the Apocrypha together
with the Canonical writings ; because these Resolutions require
that the funds of the British and Foreign Bible Society shall
be appropriated exclusively to the dissemination of the Canon-

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 363

ical books of Scripture. But still, even under these Resolutions, EUROPE,
the Committee are competent to afford very considerable as- chap! II.
sistance to their continental coadjutors, viz. 1814-29.

1st. " To all Societies whose rules and practice accord with Sect. I.
those of the British and Foreign Bible Society, in a total Central.
exclusion of the Apocrypha, they can grant assistance in li526.
money and books as formerly.

2d. " To Societies which circulate the Apocrypha with the
Canon of Scripture, whether intermixed or separate, they can
afford supplies of the Holy Scriptures, in whole or in part, for
sale or gratuitous distribution, as follows : —

a. Grants of bound Bibles, in the different authorised ver-
sions in usage on the Continent, containing the canonical
books only.

h. Grants of bound New Testaments of the same versions.

c. Grants of the New Testament and the Book of Psalms,
bound in one volume; and,

d. Grants of one or more books of the Sacred Canon bound
up together.

*' It is to be observed, that, in all the foregoing cases of
grants, the books will be delivered bound.

" All such grants of the Holy Scriptures are placed by the
Committee at the full disposal of the Foreign Societies, for sale
at cost and at reduced prices, or for gratuitous distribution
among such as are unable to pay any part of the price of
them. Tlie only conditions wdiich the Committee of the
British and Foreign Bible Society require to be complied witli,
on the part of the Foreign Societies receiving such grants,
are —

a. That the books be circulated in the state in which they Terms ou
are received, without alteration or addition. grants

h. That a distinct account of the copies sold and distri- inight still
bvited gratuitously be kept, and a copy of it forwarded to the
Committee of the British and Foreign Bible Society ; and ^

c. That the proceeds, or moneys received for the copies
sold, be transmitted to the Treasurer of the British and Foreign
Bible Society.

" These conditions have been deemed sufficient to enable the
Committee to apply the funds of the Institution, intrusted to

364

HISTORY OF THE

Chap. II,
1814-29

Sect. I.
Central.

1827.

EUROPE, them In aid of its foreign operations, in strict conformity witli
its rules ; and thereby to preserve union and harmony among
the different denominations of Christians in Great Britain, by
whom the Society is so liberally supported.

"The Committee cherish the hope that their foreign as-
sociates will find opportunities of circulating that precious gift,
which our Society considers It a privilege to offer to such as
are unable to purchase it for themselves — a gift wdiich con-
tains the whole counsel of God to mankind, ' and Is profitable
for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, throughly
furnished unto all good works.'

" At the same time, the Committee of the British and Fo-
reign Bible Society feel themselves called upon again to assure
their continental brethren, that while they consider It to be
their duty strictly to confine the application of their funds to
the circulation of the inspired books of Scripture, both at home
and abroad ; yet It is their earnest and undiminished wish to
preserve the unity of the spirit In the bond of peace among all
the Biblical Institvitions on the earth, until their great and
glorious object shall be fully realized, and all the tribes of
mankind be put In possession of the Holy Scriptures, which
are able to make them wise unto salvation, through faith which
is In Christ Jesus.

*' With sentiments of the most unfeigned regard,

" On behalf of the Committee of the British and
Foreign Bible Society,
(Signed) Teignmouth, President."

In addition to these commimications, the Society also ap-
pointed a deputation to visit the principal Societies, and confer
with them personally. The Rev. Richard Waldo Sibthorp,
whose well-known views on the subject of the Apocrypha,
and whose standing at that time In the Society, It was thought,
would give additional satisfaction to all Its friends, was in-
vited to accompany Dr. Pinkcrton.

The object of the visit of Dr. Pinkerton and Mr. Sibthorp
was, on the one hand, to remove apprehensions alluded to
above as existing on the part of the Foreign Societies ; and, on

Visit of Dr.
Pinkerton
and of
llev. K. W.
Sibthorp.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIELE SOCIETY. 365

the other, to ascertain what more could be done through the EUROPE,
medium of individual agency, where Societies might not feel chap! II.
at liberty to accede to- the wishes of the British and Foreign 1814-29.
Societ}^, on tlie subject of circulating Bibles unaccompanied Sect. I.
with the Apocrypha. Central.

The deputation proceeded first to Paris, where they had in- 1827.
terviews with Professor Kieffer, and the Committee of the
Protestant Bible Society. Prom Paris they went to Neuwied
and Frankfort. Thence they proceeded to Eisenach, Wei-
mar, and Halle, in their way to Berlin ; where they had an
interview with the President, and likewise the Committee, of
the Prussian Bible Society ; who, whilst they declined as a
Society to circulate Bibles w^ithout the Apocrypha, passed some
Resolutions by which certain members were empowered and
encouraged to act as Depositaries, for the reception and distri-
bution, under prescribed regulations, of grants of books with-
out the Apocr3qjha.

The deputation then proceeded to Herrnhut, where they met
with a hearty welcome from Bishop Fabricius ; and thence to
Dresden. At the latter place they were received with great
kindness; but the Saxon Society declined receiving Bibles
without the Apocrypha. Leipzig and Nuremberg willingly
consented to receive un-apocryphal Bibles ; but at Stuttgart
the offer was declined.

In Switzerland the deputation met with greater success.
The Societies at Schaffhausen, St. Gall, Aarau, and, after
some important discussions, the Society at Basle, gratefully
accepted the Bibles, and engaged to circulate them according
to the principles laid down. They afterwards visited Darmstadt,
where they found Leander Van Ess slowly recovering from a
severe illness : having satisfied themselves as to the state of the
depository and accounts, they thence returned home through
Wiesbaden, Cologne, and Brussels, calling on the active friends
of the Society in those places, and making various grants of
Bibles and Testaments.

Several minor, though not unimportant points received a
careful attention on the part of the deputation. On all who
acted for the Society, whether receiving remuneration or not,
the necessity of rigid adherence to the rules of the Society was

36G

HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE.

Chap. II.
1814-29.

Sect. I.
Central.

1827.

Central
Agency in
Germany
reconi-
niended.

impressed. The depositories belonging to the Society were
examined ; and from such copies as contained any thing con-
trary to its rules, a removal of the objectionable matter was
ordered. The various booksellers who executed the orders of
the Society, had the laws fully explained to them. Important
reductions in the price were, in several instances, obtained.
Various editions of Bibles and Testaments were examined ;
and whole copies or specimen sheets were brought over to
this country, for the guidance of the Committee in future
orders.

In his review of this journey, Mr. Sibthorp observes: —
" I trust that, under the blessing of God, something was
effected towards preparing the Continent to receive the
Scriptures as every enlightened Protestant would desire to
circulate them. Misapprehensions were removed, misunder-
standings cleared up, and fears allayed; the principles of
our Society were explained, and not a few approved them.
Some ill-will, I hope, was checked ; and the cord of charity,
which binds together the members of Christ's family, of
all churches and nations, strengthened, without any dere-
liction of principle. A considerable number of copies of the
Holy Scriptures, without the Apocrypha, were brought into a
medium of circulation. We found the door closed — I may
say, in most cases, barred — against the operations of our Society.
If we were enabled to be in any degree instrumental in some
cases in withdrawing the bars, in others to the opening of the
door, in others to the actual and present entrance of our
Society, to our God and our Saviour be all the glory !"

In speaking of the measures to be pursued, he adds, — "As I
have already said, no obstructions exist to the co-operation
and agency of individuals : it may be desirable to increase the
number of these ; men of zeal, piety, and judgment, who will
give themselves (as far as other claims of duty permit) heartily
and Avisely to the communicating the treasure of God's pure
word to all to whom they can extend it. It will be an im-
portant and interesting object to find and employ such."

The Deputation concurred in recommending the establish-
ment of a central Agency in Germany, for the direction of its
affairs in that part of the Continent. They considered the

r,RITISn AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 367

mistakes arising from ignorance of the extent of tlie laws and EUROPE,
regulations of the Society, through the negligence of printers Chap II
and subordinate agents, the superior facilities for printing, the 1S14-29.
great saving of expense which would accrue thence to the Sect. I.
Society, the energy which such a central sphere of operation Central.
would diffuse over all their exertions on the Continent, the con- 1828.
centration of efforts, and of the sources of supplying the
Scriptures, as sufficient reasons for the adoption of the plan.
They named Frankfort as the most eligible station in Ger-
many. Being a free city, having extensive commercial inter-
course with other parts of the Continent, facilities of com-
munication both by land and water, and no impediment
existing, as it respects its government, to the establishment of
such an Agency within it; they thought it preferable to Leipzig,
or any other place which they had visited.

In accordance with this view, the Society entered into an
arrangement with their old and well-tried correspondent, Mr.
Claus, of Frankfort, to devote himself to the service of the So-
ciety, in the distribution of the Scriptures, and in carrying out
their resolutions in reference to the circulation of Bibles without
the Apocrypha. In this service he faithfully continued till the
year 1846, acting, however, under the superintendence of Dr.
Pinkerton, from the time that the latter took charge of the
Society's affairs in Central Europe ; an event to which we shall
presently have to refer.

Encouraged by the measure of success which had attended the
visit of Mr. Sibthorp and Dr. Pinkerton, the Society de-
termined, in 1828, to send the latter to Denmark, Nor-
way, and Sweden, with the same object in view. On his visit of Dr.
way home he visited the Society's Agents at Darmstadt, Pinkerton
Frankfort, and Paris. The results of this arduous journey will the same
be more fitly adverted to, when the Society's operations in the °^J^^^ '"
above kingdoms of Northern Europe come to be considered.

In 1829, Dr. Pinkerton again made a visit to Germany,
Switzerland, France, taking Brussels on his way. The object
of this journey, as of the former one, was to encourage the
Foreign Societies, by such assistance as could be rendered in
strict accordance with the principles on which the Society now
acted. He was kindly received, and was much gratified in

368

HISTORY OF THE

Cqap. II,
1814-29.

Sect. I.
Central.

1829.

EUROPE, beholding, in very many places, tlie spirit of active co-opera-
tion cheerfully manifested. He found the Agencies also
at Paris, Frankfort, and Darmstadt, vigorously at work.^ •

By these efforts a friendly correspondence with the Con-
tinental Societies was still maintained, and many parties were
found willing to act to some extent on the new terms required
by the Society ; but it became more and more evident, to-
wards the close of the period now before us, that if the Society
was to carry forward to any great and increasing extent
an unapocryplial circulation, it must be by a large employ-
ment of direct Agency. To this object the attention of
the Society was, henceforward, particularly directed ; with
what results, will appear in the subsequent period of this
history.

Services of
Leauder
Van Ess.

Before we proceed to another portion of this history, it may
be proper to allude to one Agency, that was carried on through-
out the whole of the period now under review, and which
terminated towards its close : reference is here made to the
Agency of Dr. Leander Van Ess.

The circumstances under which Leander Van Ess, then a
Professor in the Roman Catholic Institution at Marburg, was,
in the year 1812, first introduced to the notice of the Society,
have been already mentioned. He was found actively engaged
in circulating the Scriptures, according to the limited means
then in his power. These means were greatly enlarged,
through the liberal aid extended to him by the Society ; and
his efforts became proportionably multiplied. It is imj)ossible
to read his voluminous and very interesting correspondence, as
given in the pages of the Society's Reports and their Ap-
pendices, without being struck with the extent and variety of
his labours, and the zeal, perseverance, and intrepidity with
which he conducted them; — for he had many difficulties to
encounter, and much opposition to overcome.

His services at length became so important in themselves,
and so increasingly valuable to the Society, that it was thought
expedient to obtain the full disposal of them, by employing him
as a directAgent ; and, by a yearly gratuity, to enable him to
give up his Professorship, and devote himself entirely to the

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 369

work. While thus occupied, he received repeated visits from EUROPE,
the Officers, Foreign Agents, and other friends of the Society, chap. II.
Avho made themselves acquainted with his proceedings, care- 181^29.
fully inspected his accounts, examined his stock, and expressed Sect. I,
themselves satisfied, and even more than satisfied, highly ■antral.
delighted, with the proofs of his punctuality, diligence, order, 1829.
and entire devotedness. He carried on a very extensive corre-
spondence. His distributions were effected through a variety of
channels, and could not, on the whole, have amounted to less
than 650,000 copies.* These distributions, it is true, were prin-
cipally of New Testaments, and of the translation made by
himself. This, however, bore a high character, and was well
received by the Roman Catholics, among whom his labours
were chiefly conducted. A goodly number, moreover, of Pro-
testant Bibles and Testaments passed through his hands.

At the time of the Apocrypha (controversy, the Agency of
Leander Van Ess became the subject of severe animadversion.
It was intimated that he made a large personal profit by the
sale of his New Testaments, and that this would account for
his zeal in effecting their distribution. But the fact was clearly
established, that the sum he derived from that source was very
small. He and his brother (who took part with him in the
translation) had disposed of their copyright to a printer in
1808, (four years before he became acquainted with the Society,
and ten years before he became its salaried Agent), upon terras
which enabled the brothers to realize between them, on the
average of twenty years, during which 460,130 copies had
been printed, little more than £32 per annum.f

Another charge, affecting, indeed, the Society rather than
its Agent, was grounded on the non-appearance of his salary
as a distinct item in the Treasurer's Annual Report. This,
hoAvever, arose, not from the slightest misgiving as to the just-
ness and propriety of the gratuity allotted to him, but simply
under the impression that it was not necessary to make a full

* In 18-25, they had reached 550,000. Only the issues of one subsequent
rear are distinctly set down in tlie Reports; but that year, 1827, they
were 37,500.

t See Sibthorp and Pinkerton's Letters, Twenty- fourth Report, Appen-
dix, pag-e 79.

B B

370 HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE, disclosure of the relation in which he stood to the Society,

ChaT II. situated as he was, as a Catholic priest, in the midst of those

1814-29. YfliQ sought every occasion of prejudicing him and his work.

Sect. I. After the passing of the Aprocryphal Regulations, a further

Central. ^^^^ very strong objection was taken against his being employed

1829. as an Agent at all. It was urged, and very widely circulated,

that the Society had departed from its newly-adopted principles,

by placing any books, especially unbound copies, in his hands,

and at his disposal.

In consequence of this, in March 1827, a circular letter,
signed by the Secretaries, was addressed to the Secretaries of
the Auxiliary Societies, on the subject of the Society's con-
tinued connection with Leander Van Ess. This document
explains the principle on which the Committee felt them-
selves justified in confiding to him the binding of such copies of
the Scriptures, as were intended for circulation, through his
instrumentality, among the Catholics in Germany. It shows
how expedient the Society had found it, in many cases, to
print and bind their books abroad ; how desirable it was that
this should be done under the superintendence of an accredited
Agent ; that books thus prepared did not, as of course, come
under the discretionary disposal of the Agent, but were appro-
priated only according to instructions received from home ;
that the only question, therefore, related to the Irustivortliiness
of the Agent, in carrying out his instructions ; and that there
was no reason to doubt the trustworthiness of Leander Van Ess,
but quite the contrary.

Just before this circular was issued, an official letter had
been forwarded to Leander Van Ess, fully explaining the
position in which he was to regard himself, and embodying
the riiles and regulations by which he was to be implictly
guided ; to all which he, in reply^ expressed his hearty and en-
tire consent.*

It has been judged necessary to give the above statement,
lest it should be imagined that the suspension of Dr. Leander

* These documents are found in the Appendix of the Twenty-third
Report, to which also are added numerous testimonies to the trustworthi-
ness of this Ag'ent, and the vahie of his services ; tog'ether with a tabular
statement of his accounts, as duly audited for the preceduig three months.

Chap. TI.
1814-29.

BRITISH AND FOEEIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 371

Van Ess's Agency, wliicli took place not long after, had arisen EUROPE
from any deficiency or malversation in his conduct as an Agent.
It was not so in any degree. The cause was entirely per-
sonal, and remains in some obscurity ; for Leander Van Ess Sect. I,
while protesting his innocence in regard to certain imputations ^^ntiiai
affecting his moral character, alleged that his oath as a Catholic 1829.
priest precluded his making such explanations as might have
cleared up the suspicions arising from his ambiguous domestic
relationships. His connection with the Society, however, was
necessarily closed. Some friends of the Society, pitying his
age and infirmities, and remembering his great and valuable
services through a number of years, made q, private subscrip-
tion among themselves, by which a small annuity was secured
to him — his chief support for the remainder of his days.

B B 2

372 HISTORY OF THE

SECTION 11.

NORTHERN EUROPE

1814— 18-39.

Iceland. — Visit of Dr. Henderson. — Micmet'ous Auxiliaries in
Denmark. — Version of the Old Testament for Greenland, by
Dishop Fahricius and others. — Dissent of Danish Society from
the Apocryphal Regulations. — Sweden. — Cordial sujyport given
by the Crown Prince and the Clerr/y. — Auxiliaries multiplied. —
Hemarkahle testimony of Count Rosenblad regarding the dif-
fusion of the Scriptures in Sweden, ij'c. — Separation of the
Swedish Society on the Apocrypha Question. — Russia. — Per-
sian Version of Henry Martyn published at St. Petershurgh.- — ■
Scriptures for Georgia. — Version in Moderyi Russ. — Zeal and
liberality of the Emperor. — Extent of the labours of the Russian
Society. — Resignation of Prince Galitzin. — Death of the Em-
peror Alexander. — Susj)ension of the Russian Bible Societies. —
Commencement of sejyarate operatio7is by the Rev. R. Knill.

We now resume the history of the operations and connections
of the Society in the northern part of Europe.
18 fa- 29V We begin with Iceland, to which country the attention
Sect" II ^^ ^^^® Society was directed at a very early period of its
Northern history.
1814. Some account has already been given of what had been done

for the benefit of Iceland, down to the period of Dr. Hender-
son's visit to that island in 1814, for the purpose of distributing

I)r. Hen- ^| Icelandic Bibles, of which he was the bearer.

Uerson s

visit. His visit extended from June 1814 to August of the fol-

lowing year. Dr. Henderson carried with him the recom-
mendation of Bishop Milnter, and was most kindly welcomed.
He received the greatest encouragement from the bishops and
clergy of Iceland, as well as from the most respectable civil

EUROPE.
Chap. II

Iceland.

BEITISII AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 373

authorities, in the discharge of this commission. He employed EUROPE,
five months in perilous journeys into the interior of the country > ri ~~ u
and wherever he went, he was welcomed with enthusiasm, and 1814-29,
scarcely left a place without being followed by the bene- ^^~ u
dictions of its inhabitants. The want of the Holy Scriptures Nortuern
was lamentably felt,* and the ardour of the people to obtain a Iceland.
copy of them excessive ; yet, notwithstanding this scarcity, he ^'^^'*-
had the satisfaction to receive frequent proofs of the acquaint-
ance of the Icelanders with the general contents of the sacred
volume, and that, taken as a body, they exhibited the strongest
marks of a religious disposition.

During his sojourn in the island. Dr. Henderson left for dis-
tribution, 4055 Bibles and 663-1 Testaments. He had also the
pleasure, before he left, of seeing measures taken for instituting Icelandic
a Bible Society for Iceland. The foundation of it was laid at Auxiliary.
a meeting held in the Episcopal Hall in Reykjavik, in July
1815; but, owing to the absence of the Bishop, its completion
did not take eflPect till the July following, when it was fully
established, and its first efforts encouraged by a grant from the
British and Foreign Bible Society of £300.

Previously to the formation of the Icelandic Society, 5000
Bibles and 3000 Testaments had been printed for the use of
the Icelanders by the British and Foreign Bible Society, and
2000 of the latter, by the Society at Fiihnen.f

In after years but little intelligence, respecting the pro-
ceedings of the Icelandic Society, appears to have reached this

* The Deau of East Shaftafell S^'ssel stated, that among- twenty
famiUes in his i^arish, there were but six Bibles ; and the Dean himself
had heen, for seventeen years previously, endeavouring- to procure a copy
for himself, but without success. His joy on receiving a Bible may,
therefore, be readily conceived to have been very great. In the parish of
South Mule Syssel, where were upwards of 200 persons who could read,
not more than twelve fiimihes were computed to possess a Bible, and but
few were in possession of a Testament.

t For a most interesting report of Dr. Henderson's visit to Iceland,
see Twelfth Eeport, Appendix. See also " Iceland ; or the Journal of a
Residence in that Island, in the years 1814, 1815, &c., by E. Henderson,
Doctor in Philosophy :" a work which (says Owen) for acuteness of
observation, piety of sentiment, and felicity of expression, deserves and
has acquired a high rank in the class of composition to which it belongs.
On Mr. Henderson's takhig leave of the island, Bishop Vidahn put Luto

374 HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE, country. In 1818, it was reported to be going on favourably,

Char II, aiidin 1823, Dean Helgasen,the Secretary of the Society, writes,

1814-29. « It is a well founded opinion, that every family throughout

Sect. II. this island is now in possession of a Bible or a New Testament,

Northern ^^-^^ many of more than one copy. The sacred volume is read

I8I8. with diligence during the long winter evenings. The revision

of the Icelandic New Testament is almost completed, and it is

hoped that means will be found to enable us to print it,* an

object equally desired by the whole population."

Many years afterwards, information was received of a new
edition of the whole Bible having passed through the press, but,
as it contained the Apocrypha, no aid could be given to it by
the British and Foreign Bible Society.
Deumark. The Bible Society established in the kingdom of Denmark
in 1814, of the institution of which we have already given
some account, shortly assumed a very promising appearance,
the circulation of the Scriptures being countenanced by persons
of the highest rank, and of most extensive influence in Chiu'ch
and State.

In the list of patrons who distinguished themselves by the
greatest activity, in extending the benefits of the Institution to
the poorest and the remotest parts of the kingdom, it was
gratifying to observe the name of His Highness Prince Chris-
tian of Denmark, under whose immediate auspices a flourishing
Society was formed in the diocese of Fiihnen.

Amono- the Auxiliary Societies which claim special enu-

his hand a poem, sealed with the Episcopal seal, in which Iceland person-
ilied expresses her warm sense of gratitude for the benefit conferred upon
her by the British and Foreign Bible Society. This poem (which was
composed by the translator of Milton, the Rev. John Thorlakson, of
Bcegisa) is considered one of the finest poems in the language. "It
unites " savs Mr. Henderson, "the beauty of both the ancient and modern
Scalds; being not only perfectly alliterated, but displaying- also the
charms of a triple metre." Of the Latin translation, by Professor Finn
Ma"-nusson, which accompanied it, a spirited imitation was written by
James Shergold Boone, Esq., then a senior scholar at the Charter House,
and afterwards of Christ Church, Oxford. For the Ode itself, both in the
original and in the two translations, see Appendix, Fovu'teenth Report,
See also " Henderson's Iceland," as above.

*■ This was afterwards done by the Danish Society.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 375

meration, are those of Fiihnen, Jutland, Sleswick, and Hoi- EUEOPE.
stein. In the formation of these, or in their advancement cuap! II.
to a mature organization, much assistance was derived from iai4-29.
the active and judicious labours of Dr. Henderson. Having sect. II.
undertaken a tour of considerable extent, and received letters Northern
of introduction to the five Bishops of Fiihnen and Jiitland, he Denmark.
succeeded in promoting the establishment of Bible Societies in
their several dioceses.

The principal of these, was the Sleswick-Holstein Bible
Society for the respective Duchies of the same name, of which
His Serene Highness, the Landgrave Charles, became the
Patron, and a zealous promoter. This Society, in importance,
activity, and extent of usefulness, became second only to that at
Copenhagen ; its distributions being chiefly in the German lan-
guage, as those at Copenhagen were in the Danish language.
To the funds of this valuable Auxiliary, the British and
Foreign Bible Society contributed, at its formation, £300, and,
in 1818, further encouraged it by granting a set of stereotype
plates for printing in German an edition of 10,000 Bibles ; and
the Auxiliary afterwards obtained for itself two other sets of
stereotype plates, for two other-sized Bibles. All these books
were printed at the office of the Deaf and Dumb Asylum at
Sleswick, as those at Copenhagen were at the Orphan House.

So rapidly did the Danish Society extend itself over the
country, that in a few years there were few places of any con-
sideration, in which Auxiliaries were not established. Much
was done towards the bringing about this state of things by
the residence of Dr. Henderson in Denmark, and by the
zealous co-operation of Dr. MoUer, the Secretary at Copen-
hagen, who, as well as Dr. Henderson, made repeated tours in
the service of the Society, and contributed in no small degree
to the advance of the work.

A renewed grant was made by the British and Foreign
Bible Society in 1819, and a further one in 1821, of which £200
was requested to be appropriated to the Society in Fiihnen.

About this time, the Danish Society began to direct its Greenland.
attention to the translating and printing of the Greenland
Scriptures. The Greenlanders were already in possession of
the New Testament, and measures were now adopted for

376 HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE, giving them also the Old. The work of translation was com-
CiiAP. II. menced by Bishop Fabricius, Superintendent of the Greenland
1814-29. Mission, then in his seventy-eighth year, and after his death.
Sect. II. was continued by Mr. Woltf, Chaplain of the Citadel at
Southern Copenhagen, who had been a Missionary in Greenland. The
Denmark, work was printed in portions, as the translation advanced.
After a few years. Genesis, Psalms, and Isaiah were com-
pleted.

A version of the Ncav Testament in the Creole language
was also undertaken and accomplished by the Danish Society,
for the use of the Creoles in the Danish West-India Islands ;
and portions of the Testament were translated in the language
of the Faroe Islands.
Adherence In 1826, when the Apocryphal regulations were issued, the
crypha ^°" Danish Bible Society united with most of the other of the
National Continental Societies in declining to circulate Bibles
without the Apocrypha.

In the visit undertaken by Dr. Pinkerton, in 1828, to the
northern counties of Europe, for the purpose of explaining the
Society's views in regard to the Apocrypha, and the aid they
still felt at liberty to render to foreign Institutions, the principal
Societies in Denmark were included. The Danish Society still
declined to receive Bibles without the Apocrypha, but they ac-
cepted a few Hebrew and Greek Sacred Scriptures. The Sles-
wick-Holstein Committee expressed themselves more willing to
continue a friendly co-operation, and, in consequence, were sup-
plied with unapocryphal Scriptures ; but, after a time, both
Societies seem to have preferred their own mode of action, and
subsequently the correspondence with Denmark was chiefly
kept up through a few private individuals, among whom the
Rev. Mr. Rontgen of Christianfeld deserves special and ho-
nourable mention, and also Mr. Reiche of Sleswick, who for
several years conducted a distinct agency on behalf of the
Society.

At the period of Dr. Pinkerton's visit, the total issues of the
Danish Societies amounted to 142,310, of which 71,500 had
been in Danish, printed at the Orphan House at Copenhagen,
and 62,500 had been in German, printed at the Deaf and Dumb
Institution at Sleswick.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 377

The establishment of the Swedish Bible Society, in 1814, EUEOPE.
under the sanction of His Swedish Majesty, was speedily fol- chaT II.
lowed by a considerable accession to the number of its patrons i«i4-29.
and members. Among the former were His Royal Highness Sect. II,
the Crown Prince, and many of the highest officers in the ^'"rtuern
State. So heartily did the Crown Prince enter into the plan
for extending the benefit of it throughout the Swedish do- a^d*^^"
minions, that, in addition to his contribution towards the Norway.
Swedish Society, he gave a munificent donation, to encourage ^ypport
the establishment of a similar Society in Norway ; at the same Royalty to
time expressing the hope that "the joyful day" was ap- tl^^'^o^^^y:
proaching, " when the word of the Lord should be found in the
smallest cottage of the north."

Among the measures which contributed more than any
other to the growth and advancement of the Swedish Bible
Society, was the decided line of conduct adopted by the re-
presentative bishops and clergy in the Diet assembled at
Stockholm. These enlightened deputies from the Swedish and by the
Church " expressed their highest satisfaction at the institution Clergy. ^
of the Bible Society," assiduously attended the meetings of the
Committee, and addressed an exhortatory letter to the clergy
throughout the kingdom, in which they were encouraged to
rise to one harmonious effort for the universal diffusion of its
heavenly light.

The good effect of this Circular was speedily manifested, in Numerous
applications for the . Scriptures from the several dioceses, and ^^i^'li^i'ies.
in preparations for forming Auxiliary Societies. To those of
Gottenburg, Westeras and Wisby in Gothland, which had
existed previously to the appearance of this Circular, were
now added one for the University of Lund ; and, soon after,
another, for the University of Upsala ; and in a few years were
added those of Skara, Carstadt, Carlscrona, Wexio, Asker-
sund, Linkoping, and many others.

Of such Institutions, progressively rising up, in different
parts of the kingdom, under the auspices of the Central So-
ciety, those of Upsala and Lund, as comprehending the two
Universities, seemed to attest, beyond all others, the ascen-
dancy gained by the general object of Bible Societies over
the minds of the Swedish population. In the declension from

0/6 HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE, the simplicity of Christian truth, wliich had occurred in the Pro-
Chap. II. testant Churches, and which more or less infected all the
1814-29. nations of Europe, Sweden had grievously participated. It
Sect. II. was not, therefore, without emotions of thankfulness and tri-

NoRTHERN umph, that the friends of the Bible Society witnessed the
1818. accession to their cause of those Dignitaries and Professors,
who had under their control the fountains of theological
learning, as well as of general instruction.

Norway. In the sister kingdom of Norway, a foundation was laid for

a kindred Institution, in great measure by the distinguished
benefactor of both, the Crown Prince, afterwards King of
Sweden, "who contributed for that purpose a donation of
6600 rix-dollars." Encouraged by this act of munificence,
and the promise of a liberal grant from the British and
Foreign Bible Society, the five Bishops of Norway, together
with the Court Chaplain in Christiania, and the Professor of
Divinity in the Royal Norwegian University, prepared a plan
of organization for a Norwegian Bible Society, and circulated
an address of invitation to every part of the kingdom. The
zeal of both clergy and people corresponded with the expec-
tations entertained of them by their spiritual superiors, thus
yielding an encouraging presage of future prosperity.

Sweden. Sucli were some of the fruits of those exertions in Sweden,

which originated in the benevolent activity of the Rev. Drs
Paterson and Henderson, and were afterw^ards carried on by
the Rev. Dr. Brunnmark*, with a perseverance and devoted-
ness which cost him the sacrifice of his life. The National
Society, to whose support they were directed, was, as has

* " The foundation of Bible Institutions out of Stockholm was chiefly
laid by the late Rev. Dr. Brunnmark, Chaplain to the Embassy, and
Minister of the Swedish Church in London, and also a member of the
British and Foreig'n Bible Society; a man in the highest degree
respectable, as a zealous servant of God. In his travels through Sweden,
in 1813, he reported to all whom he met what England had done for the
cause of God, and was ready to do for them also, if they would but put
forth their own exertions. He was taken away too soon ; but the spirit
of reflection which he had been the instrument of awakening, did not
expire with him : it extended more and more. Dr. Brunnmark died;
but his labours and achievements will cause him to be had in everlasting
remembrance."— -Ftrs^ Rciwrt of the Swedish Bible Society.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 379

already been seen, continually going forward ; fresh accessions EUKOPE.

were making, from time to time, to its powers and resources, Cuap. II.

by new Auxiliaries, Associations, and individual members; '81^29.

and the good effects of its influence were so discernible, as to Sect. II.
afford all who took part in its administration the amplest satis- o^^^^^^n
faction and encourao;ement. Its illustrious President, Baron Sweden.

1818

Rosenblad, used language which will be found abundantly to
confirm the account just given : —

" The Society has, with great satisfaction, beheld the friends Testimony
of Holy Writ daily increase. Those who heretofore were ^''^^'^f j
in want of this Divine Book, are now enabled to make daily and others,
use of it. Many who formerly neither acknowledged the real ofsJrIpSre
value of this blessed Volume, nor experienced its sanctifying distri-
influence, have been enlightened by the Spirit of God, and
look upon the Holy Scriptures with a more pious regard. The
spirit of levity and mockery that prevailed, as to the doctrines
of revelation, has considerably given way to a more serious
and devout attention to their important contents. The Most
High, having begun a good work, will also wisely and gra-
ciously bring the same to its consummation."

Testimony to the same effect is subsequently given in a
report of the National Society. From this it appeared, that
the spirit awakened in behalf of the Institution in 1814, con-
tinued to exert its beneficial influence, and to animate all orders
in the State, from the monarch, the nobles, and the prelates,
down to the lowest class of the peasantry, in united efforts for
the dissemination of the Holy Scriptures. The number of
copies distributed in the course of the year 1818 (the year now
referred to) equalled that of the two preceding years ; and
although the number of presses had been increased, and the
printing establishment put upon the most liberal scale, yet
the provision was fomid inadequate to meet "the call for
Bibles, now awakened in every corner of the kingdom."

" The fact that the Word of God was scarce, among us,"
observes the Report, " has, every year, been more and more
clearly demonstrated, and a hearty desire to obtain the Sacred
Volume has been awakened in the same proportion. This So-
ciety can furnish many pleasing instances, in which the popu-
lation of whole parishes have united in making application for

380 HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE, this best earthly treasure ; and, with the utmost delight, have
Ciiipill. entered into engagements with their ministers to read, to hear,
1814-29. or to meditate on the statutes and testimonies of the Lord,
Sect. II. instead of spending His own day, or their leisure hours.
Northern (^^^ ]^^^ usually been the case) in vain and sinful amuse-
Sweden. ments."
1S19. rpj^g Swedish Bible Society, under the patronage of His

Majesty, and the prudent direction of its indefatigable Presi-
dent, Baron Rosenblad, maintained for many years its high
rank among the Continental Societies. The British and Fo-
reign Bible Society had the pleasure of contributing to its
prosperity by numerous successive grants, sometimes made
direct to the central Society at Stockholm, at other times
administered to the Societies in the provinces.

Several of the Auxiliaries were visited by Dr. Henderson in
1818. In the following year he was intending a similar visit,
but was prevented by a serious accident he met with, when at
a short distance from Gottenberg, which compelled him to go
back to the city, whence he afterwards repaired to St. Peters-
burgh, and was there laid aside for several months, before
he had sufficiently recovered to be able to undertake a journey,
which he afterwards made in another direction.
1821. Up to this time, nearly 170,000 copies of the Scriptures had

Proffress of ^^^^^^^^ from the press at Stockholm, and yet a single Auxiliary
the Swedish had just discovered, on a fresh survey of its district, that
13,900 families were destitute of the Scriptures, of whom 4385
were unable to pay the full price of a copy, and 4403 incapable
of contributing any part of it. To meet this exigence, a grant of
£500 now made to the Swedish Society, w^as succeeded by a
grant of £500 in each of the two following years. In Norway
measures w^ere also adopted, for carrying into effect the trans-
lation of the New Testament into the Norwegian Lapponese
dialect, a work wdiich was afterwards accomplished.
1825. In 1825, the issues of the Swedish Bible Society, from its

establishment, had amounted to 204,645, and this in a country
which, in the eai'lier years of the Bible Society, was reported
to be so well supplied, as to lead to the supposition that such
an Institution was not wanted within its limits.

In 1826, Sweden, like the rest of the Continent, was brought

Bible So
ciety

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 381

under the agitation of the Apocrypha controversy. The cor- EUKOPE.
respondence which took place in reply to the Circular of the cjj^~ h
Parent Society of February 1826, was respectful yet decisive. 1814-29.
Count Rosenblad, in the name of the Swedish Bible Society, s^c^ II.
stated that they could not alter the usages established during Northern
the space of three centuries within the Swedish Church ; Sweden,
that the exclusion of the Apocrypha, even if practicable, would ^^^^'
raise great suspicions prejudicial to the Bible cause; that the Its decision
Evangelical Society at Stockholm had made an attempt to cir- ^q ^j^J ^
culate Bibles excluding the Apocrypha, but it had failed, and Apocrypha,
they had been compelled to return to the ancient custom;
that according to this custom the Swedish Society had pro-
ceeded ; and that, conscientiously following their convictions,
they could not agree in the views of the British and Foreign
Bible Society, though cherishing towards it the strongest sen-
timents of respect, gratitude, and affection.

Thus the matter rested till Dr. Pinkerton, in 1828, visited
the northern countries of Europe, with the same object in view as
that which led him and Mr. Sibthorp to visit, in the preceding
year, other parts of the Continent. He had personal interviews
with the leading friends at Gothenburg, Christiania, Upsala,
Stockholm, Carlscrona, Lund, and several smaller places. He
found the Archbishop of Upsala, the Primate of Sweden, de-
cidedly favourable to the course adopted by the British Society,
insomuch that he accepted a grant of 300 unapocryphal Bibles,
besides 500 Testaments. The Stockholm Committee agreed
to receive some Hebrew Bibles and Greek Testaments, but do
not appear to have gone further. Dr. Pinkerton had the
pleasure of learning that the work of circulating the Scriptures
was going on, with more or less success, in every part of
Sweden, and that there had been issued in the preceding year
more than 21,000 copies. At Wexio, the Society consented
to receive a grant of Bibles, of which the Bishop afterwards
gave his cordial approval ; and at Carlscrona, a similar proposal
was thankfully acceded to. In like manner, at Lund,
400 Swedish Bibles without Apocrypha were accepted, to-
gether with Hebrew Bibles and Greek Testaments for the use
of poor students.

From this period, the connection of the British Society

382 HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE, with Sweden and Norway became restricted, as compared with

Chap. II. what it had been — the pecuniary assistance having entirely
1814-29. ceased, and the grants being now, for the most part, confined
Sect. II. to New Testaments. Still a friendly correspondence was

KoKTHERN maintained, which could not fail to possess much interest,
1828. especially so long as it rested to a great extent on Count Rosen-
blad, whose letters were a type and expression of the fervent
zeal which, he brought into the cause of the Bible Society, and
may be ranked among the documents which most adorn the
pages of the Society's records.

We here take leave at present of the Swedish Bible Society,
which, as was stated by Count Rosenblad, in his opening
speech at the Annual Meeting in 1829, had put more copies
into circulation in Sweden, since its establishment, than had
been issued in that country during the first three centuries
after the Reformation. The issues, up to that time, had
amounted to 273,518 copies.

Norway, It was not till 1820, that the Norwegian Society was fully

organized on the principles of the British and Foreign Bible
Society, when it received a grant, previously conditionally ten-
dered, of £500. Norway was visited in 1821 by the Rev. Peter
Treschow, a German Clergyman in London, on behalf of the
Society. He brought to light many interesting facts relating to
that country. Amongst others, he ascertained that there was a
tribe of Finns, of 5000 to 6000, the majority of whom could
read ; but so great was the scarcity of religious books and the
eagerness of the people to read, that they did not think much of
walking twenty or thirty miles to hear a good book read. No
copy of the Bible was found among them, and as their language
differed from that of the Swedish Finns, the Bibles which
were sent from the Society at Abo were of no use. Their
case had to be taken up by itself, and the British and
Foreign Society having encouraged the undertaking by the
promise of a grant, it was immediately proposed to prepare
for them a version of the New Testament at Drontheira.

Ilu.ssia We now again revert to Russia. The circumstances which

led to the formation of a Bible Society at St. Petersburgh, have
already been detailed at some length ; in the course of which

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 383

it was seen, how lively was the interest taken by the Emperor EUROPE,
in the undertaking, and how much his sanction contributed to chap. II.
its success. 181^29.

It has been already mentioned that the visit to England, Sect, II.
in 1814, of the Emperor of Russia and the King of Prussia, Northern
both of whom had taken the cause of the Society, within Eussia.
their respective dominions, under their protection, gave the visit of the
Directors of the Society an opportunity, which they cheerfully Emperor to
embraced, of tendering in person their acknowledgments to is 1 4.
these royal personages for the favours they had severally
shown to the operations of the Institution. A Deputation,
consisting of the President, six of the Vice-Presidents, and
three Secretaries, were admitted to an interview with his
Imperial Majesty, who received them very graciously, and
after listening to an address which had been prepared, con-
versed familiarly with them. His Majesty spoke with much
decision of the utility of the Institution, particularly as it
respected his own dominions ; and after many friendly and per-
tinent remarks, assured the Deputation of his warm attach-
ment to the object of the Society, and of his determination to
give it his continued protection.

The return of His Imperial Majesty to his capital, was the
signal for elevating the rank of the St. Petersburgh Society,
by changing its designation to that of the Russian Bible So-
ciety, a title more fully corresponding with the extent of its
designs and labours, as well as the estimation in which it was
held by its Imperial protector.

So active had been the exertions of the St. Petersburgh Bible
Society, during the short period which had intervened since its
establishment, that, at the commencement of 1814, it had en-
tered into engagements for printing the Scriptures in seven
languages, and the Provincial Societies, for editions in three
languages more. Towards these works, the British and Foreign
Bible Society had contributed grants of money amounting to
no less than £3000.

The circumstances which led to the printing of the Scrip-
tures in the Persian and the Georgian languages, by the above
Society, are too interesting to be passed over.

When the late excellent and indefatigable Henry Martyn had

384

HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE

Chap. II.
1814-29.

Sect. IF.
Northern

1819.

Persian
Ver.sion of
Rev H.
Martyn.

Russia.

Georgia.

Georgian
version.

completed his Persian translation of the New Testament at
Shiraz, he deposited at Tebriz, in the hands of the British
Ambassador, Sir Gore Ouseley, Bart., a copy of the trans-
lation, to be by him presented to the King of Persia. This
commission His Excellency very faithfully performed; and
the letter of His Majesty, in acknowledgment of the present,
was in every respect satisfactory and encouraging. Returning
to England by way of St. Petersburgh, His Excellency fell
into company with Prince Galitzin ; when, the conversation
having turned on the progress of Bible Societies, Sir Gore
Ouseley dilated on the Biblical exertions of the late Mr. Mar-
tyn, and the good reception which his version of the New Tes-
tament had obtained at the Court of Persia. In the course of
this interview it was suggested, that an edition might be printed
by the St. Petersburgh Bible Society, and advantageously cir-
culated in the provinces of West Persia. The suggestion was
mutually approved ; and, by the exertions of Dr. Pinkerton,
in concurrence with Sir Gore Ouseley, (who voluntarily
engaged to superintend the correction of the press,) the work
was entered upon without delay; and in less than twelve
months 5000 copies were completed and ready for distribution.
The subject of Georgia, and the consideration of printing
the Scriptures in the language of that country, as well as of
establishing a Bible Society in its capital, Tiflis, arose out of
an interview which Messrs. Papoff and Pinkerton had with the
Georgian Archbishop, Dositheos, when on the point of quitting
Petersburgh for Tiflis, in order to execute the commission of
his Sovereign, by endeavouring to improve the education of
the Georgian clergy. It appeared, by the information derived
from this intelligent prelate, that the number of Christians
belonging to the Grseco-Georgian Church exceeded a million ;
that in Georgia Proper there were nearly 900 churches, and
in Tmeretta and Mingrelia 1100; and that among these 2000
churches, not 200 Bibles were to be found. In fact, but one
edition of the Georgian Bible had been printed, and that in
folio. The clergy were, for the most part, deplorably ignorant.
Religion was more cultivated by the females than by the
males, or even by the priests. The tradition of Christianity
having been introduced into Georgia, about the year 320, by a

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 385

Grecian virgin, Ninna, (who still occupies the first place in the EUEOPE.
calendar of their saints,) appears to have excited an emulation ^^^ ~ jj
in that sex to imitate so illustrious an example ; insomuch, that 1814-29.
a proper knowledge of the doctrines of revelation is still con- SectT II.
sidered, among the superior ranks in Georgia, an indispensable Northern
part of female education. Russia.

In communicating the intelligence of which the foregoing '^^^•
is an abstract, the Archbishop expressed his readiness to co-
operate, by all the exertions he could make, and all the in-
fluence he could employ, in giving effect to the important
designs of the St. Petersburgh Bible Society.

It being, however, considered, that a long time must expire
before any thing could be undertaken in Tiflis itself, and it
having been ascertained that the matrices in which the Geor-
gian types were cast, that had been employed in printing the
Bible at Moscow in 1742, had providentially escaped the con-
flagration, it was judged expedient to commence, without
delay, an impression of 5000 copies. This task the Moscow
Society very cheerfully undertook ; and the Archbishop had
the satisfaction, as he passed through Moscow on his way to
Georgia, to see all the practical arrangements for carrying it
into execution definitively settled.

The operations of the Russian Bible Society were car- Zealand
ried on, both in the heart of the empire and in the provinces, the Rus-
so vigorously, that by the beginning of 1816, it was able sian Bible
to report eight editions of the Scriptures, in so many different
languages, as finished, and fourteen more in the press, amounting
in the whole to 79,000 copies. Among these undertakings,
was the printing of the Slavonian Scriptures, which was car-
ried on at Moscow. It appears that, during 234 years, since
Bibles were first printed in Russia, no more than twenty-two
editions had been brought out, consisting in all of scarcely more
than 60,000 copies ; and that for the use of many millions of

people !

It is pleasing here to have to record, that the suggestion of
printing the Scriptures in modern Russ, is atti'ibutable to the
Emperor himself. The return of the Emperor to his capital, at
the close of 1815, brought the affairs of the Institution more par.
ticularly under his cognizance and observation. His Majesty had
c c

386

HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE.

Chap. II.
1814-29.

Sect. II.
Northern

Russia.
1816.

Version in
Modern
Russ, pro-
posed by
the Em-
peror.

Tour of Dr.
Pinkerton
in the Rus-
sian pro-
viuces.

given a signal proof of his remembrance of its interests during his
absence, by granting it the privilege of sending not only all
letters, but also Bibles and Testaments, by post, fi'ee of charge,
to every part of the empire. His solicitude for extending its
usefulness more generally among the people, caused him, in
the following Spring, to direct that a new translation of the
Scriptures should be made into the vernacular Russian ; that
in the Slavonian (the only one in use) having, from its vast
antiquity, become, in a great degree, obsolete. In the com-
munication of his wishes to this effect to the Holy Synod, His
Majesty assigns as the reason of his conduct his " being con-
vinced, by experience, and by the divine doctrines of the Holy
Scriptures, how useful the reading of them is for people in
every condition of life, to the promotion of godliness and
morality, on which the true prosperity of individuals and
nations is built."

This measure, so demonstrative, at once, of his personal
regard for the Holy Scriptures, and of his paternal considera-
tion for the spiritual welfare of the lowest classes of his people,
and so adapted to fix an era in the religious and moral history of
the Russian Empire, was only partially accomplished, up to the
time of the Emperor's decease, and has not since been resumed.*

For several successive years, the Russian Bible Society
assumed a more and more commanding attitude, and its opera-
tions would furnish, did space permit, rich and varied matter
of interesting record. The three agents of the British and
Foreign Bible Society, Drs. Paterson, Pinkerton, and Hen-
derson, had each a share in promoting its vigorous growth,
and the extension of its benefits throughout the empire.

In the Spring of 1816, Dr. Pinkerton undertook a tour in
the service of the Russian Bible Society ; the intention of
which, as expressed in his credentials from Prince Galitzin,
the President, was " to promote the object of the Institution in
every possible way, by engaging proper persons to act as Com-
missioners for effecting the circulation of the Scriptures, in
those parts where Branch Societies were not yet formed ; by
visiting, personally, the different Branch Societies already

* The New Testament was printed; and parts of the Old, as tlie Psalms
and Octateuch : the remainder, it is understood, is in manuscript.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 387

existing in the south, particularly at Moscow, Voronez, Theo- EUROPE,
dosia, and Kamentz ; and by encouraging the formation of new chap. II.
Societies, where practicable, to co-operate with the Parent In- 1814-29.
stitution, in disseminating the word of God in and beyond the Sect. II.
borders of the Russian dominions." Northern

In performing this journey of more than 7000 miles, of Russia,
which a most interesting account will be found in the Appendix
to the Thirteenth Report, Dr. Pinkerton acquitted himself in
such a manner as eminently to justify the confidence reposed
in him by both the Russian Bible Society, under whose autho-
rity and direction the tour was effected, and the British and
Foreign Bible Society, which furnished the necessary funds.
In the judgment of the former (whose opinion is entitled to the
most unqualified respect), " the blessing of God accompanied
the steps of this enterprising traveller wherever he went."
New Auxiliaries to the Parent Societ}^ sprang up in his pre-
sence, and by his assistance ; particularly in Tula, Sympher-
pole, Odessa, Wilna, Moghiley, and Witepsk. In many other
places a good foundation was laid for other Auxiliaries. In
addition to all this, Dr. Pinkerton gained access to books and
manuscripts, that threw great liglit on certain objects which
engaged the attention of the Bible Societies both of St. Peters-
burgh and London. This was more especially the case in his Caraite
visit to the Crimea, where, in a settlement of the Caraite Jews, •''^'^^•
he discovered a Tartar manuscript of the books of the Old
Testament, a copy of which he was permitted to purchase, and
carry away with him.*

Dr. Paterson, whose habitual occupation was that of con-
ducting most of the business in the executive department
of the Russian Society, alid who, in that department, approved
himself to his principals, both Russian and British, by the Tour of Dr.

greatest industry, iuda;ment and perseverance, undertook also Paterson
^ • 1 P 1 -1 • 1 through the

a tour, in the course or the same year, with a view to the Provinces.

furtherance of the great object. In this excursion, which was

directed to the Baltic Provinces of Esthonia, Livonia, and

* For an interesting- account of the circumstances which led to the
discovery and acquisition of this valuable treasure, see Owen's History,
III., p. 211, &c.

C C 2

388 HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE. Coiirland, Dr. Paterson was accompanied by His Excellencv
CfiaT II. ^^^'- Pi^poff, Secretarj to the Russian Bible Society ; and the
1814-29. travellers visited the several Bible Societies which lay within
Sect. II. the compass of their route.

Northern j^^ ^|^g autumn of 1816, Dr. Henderson removed to St.

Russia. Petersburgh, for the purpose of assisting Dr. Paterson, then

in a declining state of health ; which circumstance gave him.

Dr. Hen- for a time, the character of a British Agent in connection with

riK^verto " ^^^® Russian Bible Society. The accession of talent, experi-

St. Peters- ence, and piety, which Dr. Henderson brought to the work in

which he was now providentially called to bear a part, was

duly appreciated by the Directors of the Russian Society. He

performed the duties of his invalid friend with equal diligence

and ability ; and, on the return of the latter to St. Petersburgh,

they continued to labour together in the same department of

service with fraternal harmony, and with eminent advantage

to the interests and operations of the Russian Bible Society.

It has been already seen, that His Imperial Majest}^ lent his
warm countenance to the proceedings in which the Russian
Bible Society was embarked. Among the proofs of his libe-
rality, and of his concern for the increased usefulness of the
Institution, should be enumerated a present to the Society of a
spacious Mansion for carrying on Biblical business, and a grant

Zeal and from his own purse of 15,000 rubles towards the expense of

personal ,..„,. . , , . ,

liberality adaptuig it lor this service ; and, at the same time, also a grant

of a similar amount for reducing the cost of duty on some
paper imported from Plolland for the purposes of the Society.
By his command, also, a document w^as, in 1817, laid before
the Society by Prince Galitzin, the President, in which His
Imperial Majesty expresses his will, that an inquiry should be
instituted, without loss of time, into all the measures requisite
for the speedy multiplication of the books of Holy Scripture,
and for doubling, at least, the number then printing. A plan,
in conformity with the above suggestions, prepared and sub-
mitted by Dr. Paterson, was speedily laid before His Majesty,
and received his approbation.

The following declaration of the Emperor, contained in
an address which, on one occasion, he made to the Moscow
Society — a declaration not less worthy of the Sovereign

of the Em
peror

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 389

of a great empire, than consonant with the spirit of the EUROPE.
Bible Society — may be given as a further testimony of His ^.^ ~ jj_
Majesty's appreciation of the work : — 1814-29.

" I consider the establishment of Bible Societies in Russia, s^ct. jj.
in most parts of Europe, and in other quarters of the globe, Nokthern
and the very great progress these Institutions have made in Russia,
disseminating the word of God, not merely among Christians, *^^^*
but also among Heathens and Mahommedans, as a peculiar Memorable
display of the mercy and grace of God to the human race. On oiil^Q "^
this account I have taken upon myself the denomination of a Emperor,
member of the Russian Bible Society; and will render it every
possible assistance, in order that the beneficent light of revela-
tion may be shed among all nations subject to my sceptre."

As a further instance of the interest which His Majesty took
in the concerns of the Society, it may be stated that, in 1820,
he purchased, from his own private funds, a large stock — more
than 9000 Slavonian Pocket Testaments— in order to distribute
them among the army. Nor does it redound less to his honour
as a wise monarch, solicitous for the diffusion of scriptural
truth among his people, that he issued an order to the Holy
Synod, to supply all monasteries, churches, and priests, through-
out his dominions, with copies of the Holy Scriptures.

The feelings and sentiments thus cherished by the monarch,
were found at that time to pervade multitudes of his people,
both in the Capital and in the several governments, provinces,
and districts, who took a large share in the dissemination of
the Holy Scriptures. To quote a remark made at that time: —
" No facts which could be stated, and no language which
could be employed, would be sufficient to convey an adequate
representation of the interest felt, and the exertions making,
by all orders of the Russian community, on behalf of an object
which appears to have roused all their moral energies ; and
united monarch and people, as the heart of one man, in pro-
moting the kingdom of God."*

So rapidly, indeed, w^as the work of the Russian Society
carried on, that upon every opening that offered for the entrance
of the Scriptures, into a territory in which they were either un-
known, or existed but in name, translations were conmienced

* Owen, III. 395.

390 HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE, and proceeded in, with a celerity and vigour that are truly

Cnv7 II astonishing. If a proof were wanted, it might be taken from

18N-29. what the Society had undertaken for Siberia alone, on whose

vSect. II. behalf not fewer than seven versions of the Scriptures were,

NoRTHEEN r^i the period now treated of, in a course of actual, and some of

Russia, very forward preparation.

1818. rpj^g Monthly Papers, issued by the Society, exhibited at once

the vastness of the business with which the Committee was

charged, and the systematic regularity, as well as persevering

Vast ex- industry, with which its details were conducted.

tent of the Some iudo'ment may indeed be formed of the labours, and

labours of .,.,.„, ^ . . i

theRussian deep responsibility of those whose office it was to superintend
Society. ^^^^ direct the general transactions of this important Society,
when it is considered, that, in St. Petersburgh alone, editions
of the Scriptures were simultaneously preparing in eleven
languages ; and that, within one month, copies to the amount
of 100,000 rubles, were despatched from the Depository
to eveiy quarter, and almost every province, in Russia,
whether European or Asiatic ; of which, twenty cart-loads had
to cross the Caucasus to Tiflis, for the use of both Mahom-
medans and Christians. The distribution of the Scriptures
in the fifth year, 1817, was double that of the preceding; the
number of copies jn'inted was 72,000, in eight different lan-
guages ; and the total, up to that time, either printed or printing,
by the Russian Bible Society, amounted to fifty-nine editions,
comprising 270,600 copies, in twenty-one languages.

Nor were there wanting testimonies, the most express and
convincing, of these exertions being greeted with feelings of
cordial joy by the population, and attended, in many cases,
with the most salutary and promising effects.

In 1818, Dr. Pinkerton made another journey, occupying
about six months, the former part of which he devoted to the
. interests of the Russian Bible Society. From St. Petersburgh
he travelled through White Russia and Samogitia, visiting
Pleskoff", Witepsk, Mogiloft', Minsk, Wilna, Polangen, and
other principal places, before he passed the frontier into
Prussia, Germany, and France. In the course of this tour,
Avhile other objects received their due measure of consideration,
particular attention was paid to the wants of hospitals and jails.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 391

to the religious state of the Jews, and to the prevalent feeling in EUROPE,
the several Universities, with respect to their estimate of the ^ ■"" jj
Holy Scriptures, and their w^illingness to aid in their dispersion. 1814-29.

Early in 1819, Dr. Pinkerton set out from London on se(^ u.
another journey, which extended to February in the following Northern
year. In the course of this tour he spent several months in Russia.
Greece and Turkey, before returning through the Russian ''^^^•
dominions to St. Petersburgh. Tour of Dr.

He was furnished, by Prince Galitzin, wath recommendatory to^Gmce"
letters to all the Russian Consuls in the chief towns on the and
Euxine, the Mediterranean, and other places which he was
likely to visit, as Smyrna, Trebizond, Salonica, Bucharest,
Jassy, &c. ; and the Prince wrote a letter direct to the Russian
Ambassador at Constantinople, Baron StrogonofF, in which he
conveys the will of His Imperial Majesty, that Dr. Pinkerton
should be taken under His Excellency's special protection, not
merely during his stay at Constantinople, but everywhere
during his sojourn in European and Asiatic Turkey. Letters
also were entrusted to the Ambassadors, for the Greek and
Armenian Patriarchs at Constantinople, to be delivered by
Dr. Pinkerton on his arrival. Thus introduced. Dr. Pinkerton,
as may be supposed, did not fail to meet with a friendly re-
ception in different quarters. As on former occasions, he
gained a great deal of information, relative to the existence
of certain versions and manuscripts, and the prevailing want
of the Scriptures in different countries, and at the same time
he succeeded in originating numerous measures for carrying
out the object and plans of the Society. Much of the in-
formation thus collected was transmitted to St. Petersburgh,
as well as to London, and formed the basis of further opera-
tions undertaken by the Russian Society

Amongst other interesting information, he ascertained the
existence of a number of valuable Georgian manuscripts, at
the Iberian, or Georgian Monastery on Mount Athos, among
which were found large portions of the Scriptures in that
language.*

Whilst Dr. Pinkerton was still absent, another journey was
projected, to be undertaken by Dr. Paterson and Dr. Hen-
* fc?ee Piukertoii's Letters, Sixteenth Rejjort, Appendix.

392 HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE, derson. The latter, who was still suftering from the effects of
Cn\7 II ^^^^ accident in the neighbourhood of Gothenburg, was seeking
1814-29. to perfect himself in the Russian language, to which also he
Northern added the study of the Tartar and Persic, with a view to his
Sect. II. becoming stationary at Astrachan, as appears at one time to
Russia, have been his intention, though afterwards it was abandoned.
It was the spring of 1821, before the arrangements for this
Tour of journey were completed. The two travellers set out from St.
soaaud^"^" Petersburgh in March 1821, accompanied by Mr. Serof,
Henderson Assistant-Secretary of the Russian Society, and furnished with
.Southern letters from Prince Galitzin to all the principal civil and eccle-
Provinces. gj^^g^jcrj] authorities of the different governments, through
which it was expected they might pass. The journey em-
braced a period of eleven months, and was extended through
twenty provinces of the Russian empire.

There is the less necessity to dwell on the incidents and re-
sults of this long, arduous, and important journey, as they are
not only given in the correspondence of Drs. Paterson and
Henderson, fou.nd in the Appendix of the Society's Eighteenth
Report, but also form the matter of an interesting volume, by
Dr. Henderson, afterwards published in this country.*

It may suffice to say, that the object of this, as of previous
journeys, was to visit the Bible Societies, more particularly
those in the interior of the Russian empire, with a view to
tlieir fuller organization, extension, and encouragement. Many
Public Meetings were attended, and much consultation held
with the principal officers and friends of nearly one half of
the Auxiliaries in Russia ; and, according to the testimony of
Prince Galitzin, in his address at the ensuing anniversary,
" this journey had served materially to augment the success
of the Society's work."

Soon after their return to St. Petersburgh, Drs. Paterson
and Henderson, who had been hitherto considered as Agents
of the British and Foreign Bible Society, resigned their
situations, and were engaged in the same capacity by the
Russian Bible Society, with which they had been so many
years connected. A grateful and satisfactory testimony to

* Under the title of " Biblical Researches ; or Travels in Russia, in-
cluding a tour in the Crimea, and the passage of the Caucasus,"

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 393

their long and meritorious services, was given in the Ninth EUROPE.

Report of the Russian Bible Society. After a short period, chap^ II.

Dr. Henderson dissolved his connection with the Russian 1814-29.

Society, but Dr. Paterson continued with it till its sus- Sect. If.

pension. Northern

The services of Dr. Pinkerton were now deemed more Russia,

necessary in other parts. He was therefore, though still con- " "
tinned as a Foreign Agent, requested to take up his residence
in England, whence he might occasionally make visits abroad,
and, in the intermediate times, assist in the business of the
Foreign Department at home.

To return to the Russian Society: In 1820, its Report Large total

stated, that, within the short period of seven years, the So- °^ ^"ip-

, , . , „ .1 1 • *^^^ opera-

ciety had either actually printed, or was engaged to print, tions by

ninety-one editions of the whole, or parts, of the Sacred gociet^^^^'^
Scriptures in twenty-six different languages, forming a total of
411,000, of which 275,669 were already in circulation ; the
number circulated that year amounting to 68,539, in thirty-two
languages. Their noble President, Prince Galitzin, in his address
that year, remarks — " At present there is hardly a province in
the empire, where the cause of disseminating the Holy Scrip-
tures is not known. From the shores of the Baltic to Kiachta,
they are circulated by various means. Copies of them have
reached the distant habitations of the Buriats, and the still more
distant shores of Russian North America. On the other hand,
the Kirgisians and Persians are supplied with them ; the natives
round the Caspian and Black Sea are partaking of them ; the
Georgians and Bessarabians are furnished with these silent
preachers of salvation."

In the succeeding year. Dr. Pinkerton gives the following
enumeration of works at that time undertaken by the Society,
and then in progress : —

" The most important work is the translation of the Scrip- Review

tures into the vernacular Russ : and we have now to announce S'^en by
' _ Dr Pm-

tlie completion of a part, and the rapid progress of other parts kerton.

of this work. On the 12th of December, the birthday of the

Emperor Alexander, Prince Galitzin presented his Majesty

with the first copy of the modern Russ New Testament.

Blessed, ever blessed be God, who has enabled us to behold

Testament.

394 HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE, this work, of infinite value to the many millions of Russians,
Chap. II. completed ! The first edition consists of 5000 copies, and is
1814-29. jiQy^ JQ the hands of the bookbinder ; a second, of 20,000, is
Sect. II. nearly half printed off; and a third edition, of 5000, is printing
Northern ^^ Moscow. The Gospels and Acts, and the first Epistles, of this
Russia, version, have hitherto been in greater demand than we have as
yet been able to furnish. The Pentateuch, the books of
Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes, are translated. The Arch-
bishop Philaret, of Moscow, is now occupied in translating
Isaiah."
Russ New At this time the first edition of the Book of Psalms, consisting
of 15,000 copies, had already left the press. The Russian Com-
mittee had also completed large editions of the whole Bible in
the Greek and German languages, of the New Testament for the
use of the Polish Catholics, and of the four Gospels and Acts
in the Calmuc and Mongolian dialects. They had undertaken to
publish an edition of 5000 copies of the Bulgarian New Testa-
ment, sanctioned by the ecclesiastical authorities of Bessarabia,
and an edition of the Gospel of St. Matthew in the Zirian lan-
guage, a dialect spoken in the governments of Tobolsk, Perm,
and Vologda. They had also resolved on printing, by way of
experiment, a Hebrew version of the Gospel of St, Matthew,
and of the E])istle to the Hebrews, presented to them by a
Jewish convert at St. Petersburgh.

When the great expense attendant on these various works
is estimated, and the recent sacrifices made by the benevolent
in Russia for the relief of Greek emigrants from the Turkish
territories, are also taken into consideration, it will not be a
matter of surprise that the funds of the Russian Bible Society
should have sustained a temporary exhaustion. On this ac-
count the Society in London, in conformity to that spirit of
fraternal cordiality which had always characterized their in-
tercourse with the Russian Institution, assisted its efforts to
meet the difficulties of its situation by a grant of £2006.

Dr. Pinkerton, independently of the general assistance he
had afforded to the St. Petersburgh Committee, had under-
taken the superintendence of the following works: — the
Tartar-Turkish Bible, the printing of which had been en-
trusted to the Missionaries at Astrachan ; the New Testament

BTIITISII AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 395

in the Mandjur-Cliinese, after the projected translation of a EUROPE,
learned individual, who had resided fourteen years at Pekin, chakII.
by appointment of the Russian Government, with the particular l«U-29.
view of studying the Mandjur and Chinese languages ; a Sect. II.
Persian version of the Old Testament ; the first sheets of Northern
this translation were examined and approved by Professor Russia.
Lee, who kindly undertook to revise the rest as they were " '

transmitted to him ; a Servian version of the Sci'iptures ; and
a Tartar Old Testament, according to the manuscript found
by Dr. Pinkerton in the Crimea, with such alterations as
the Missionaries at Astrachan might deem necessary.

Passing over the years 1822 and 1823, during which the
operations of the Russian Society were conducted with undi-
minished energy, we come to 1824, the eleventh year of the
Society's existence, in which, — though its work did not stand
still, 70,000 copies of the Scriptures, in different languages
and dialects, being printed, and 31,163 distributed, — an event
occurred, foreshadowing the fatal interruption which the So-
ciety was ere long to undergo. His Excellency, Prince Rgsin-na-
Galitzin, the noble, indefatigable, and devoted President of tion of
the Society, from reasons which do not fully appear, but iit^;iu.
which are supposed to have been mixed up with questions of
State policy, was induced to resign his office, and His Emi-
nence, Archbishop Seraphim, Metropolitan of Novogorod and
St. Petersburgh, was, by an Imperial Rescript, appointed his
successor. The Prince, in a letter to the President of the
British and Foreign Bible Society, expressed the unabated
interest felt by him in the operations of the Bible Society in
every part of the world ; and the new President, also, at the
Meeting at which his appointment was announced, expressed
a "lively hope that the Lord would be pleased to shower
down his blessings on the united and important labours of the
Society, and vouchsafe to them his almighty aid."

It soon, however, became evident that the mainspring of
the Society had received damage, — that its animating spii'it
had departed.

In the following year, 1825, the Emperor Alexander died. Death of
His attachment to the Bible Society was, there is every reason perorAies-
tu believe, unshaken to the last. His successor, the Emperor audcr.

396

HISTORY OF THE

1814-29.

Sect. II.
Northern

Russia.
1823.

Suspension
of Russian
Bible So-
cieties.

EUROPE. Nicholas, after his accession, continued his own subscription to
Chap. II. the Russian Bible Society. But before the close of the next year,
1826, the operations of the Bible Societies in Russia were,
by an Imperial Ukase, suspended. The only mitigating clause
was, " that the sale of the Holy Scriptures already printed in
Sclavonian and Russian, as also in the other languages in use
among the inhabitants of the Russian empire, was permitted to
be continued at fixed prices." The motives which influence the
proceedings of a Government like that of Russia are not often
developed. It is probable that in this case, there was a mixture
both of political and ecclesiastical considerations, but of their
exact complexion and weight it is not easy to speak.

Dr. Paterson, whose services were no longer required at
St. Petersburgh, soon afterwards returned to this country,
committing the cause of the Russian Bible Society into the
hands of that God, who surely takes a deeper interest in the
progress of His own truth, than we can possibly do, but whose
ways are past finding out.*

But while this dark cloud came over the prospects, once so
bright and cheering, of the great Russian Bible Society, the
work was not allowed wholly to cease. A Protestant Bible
Society was established, under sanction of the Emperor, for
supplying the Protestants in Russia with the Scriptures :
Prince Lieven was appointed the President. A few years
elapsed, before this Society came into much operation. It was
at length found surrounded with a considerable number of
Auxiliaries, and will come again into notice in a subsequent
part of this history.

In the mean time, the providence of God was inclining the

^T'em-'^* hearts of individuals, and remarkably opening their way to

tious under supply, in some measure, the place of larger and more regu-

Agenc\\ larly-organized Societies. In 1828, a correspondence of a

very interesting kind, and pregnant with important results,

was opened with the British and Foreign Bible Society, on

the part of a gentleman then resident at St. Petersburgh,

Com-

* At the time of its suspension, the Russian Bible Society had 289
Auxiliaries : it had printed the Sacred Scriptures in between twenty and
thirty various languages; and its circulation had amounted to above
661,000 copies.

BRITISH AND FOUEIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 397

whose name Avas for a time withheld, but who afterwards be- EUROPE.

came well and widely known. The Rev. R. Knill, formerly cj,^ jj

a Missionary in India, was, at the period referred to. Minister 1814-29.

of a Protestant congregation, composed principally of English sect. II.

and Americans, at St. Petersburgh. The circumstances which ^oi^tiiern

led to his engaging in the work of Scripture distribution, and Russia,

the chain of unexpected consequences connected with this first ^^^^'

link, will come to be considered afterwards, having chiefly to Rev. R.

do with a subsequent period. They are referred to here to ^^^ '
show, that while the sun of the Russian Bible Society seemed
to be setting in dark clouds, there appeared more than one
bright streak in the heavens as an encouragement to faith and
hope.

398 nisTORY OF the

EUROPE.

CENTRAL AND NORTHERN.

CHAPTER III.

PERIOD OF SEPARATE AGENCIES, FROM THE APOCRYPHAL
REGULATIONS TO THE YEAR OF JUBILEE.

1829-1854.

SECTION I.

CENTRAL EUROPE.

Continued adherence of Continental Societies to the Jpocrypha. —
New plan of Parent Society s oj)erations by separate Agencies. —
France — Depot at Paris — Varied labours of Professor Ki<'ffer
— French Revolution of 1830 — Efforts of 3Iessrs. Courtois,
of Toulouse, and first experiments of Colportage. — Death of
Professor Kieff'er — Appovitment of 31. dePressense — Extensron
of Colportage, and results. — Dr. Pinherton at Franhfort, as
General Superintendent of Agencies — Tours through Germany —
Mr. Eisner, Scriptures supjjlied to the Prussian army. —
Hungary — Efforts of Rev. 3Ir. Wimmer. — Revolution of
1848. — Colportage in Germany. — Belgium — Origin and success
of Mr. Tiddfs labours — These extended to Holland — Labours
of Lieutenant Gray don and 3Iajor Deckwith in Switzerland,
and N 07-th Italy.

EUROPE. The period which has lately passed under review was cha-

CiiAP~iii I'^cterized, as has been remarked, by the rapid and extensive

— multiplication of kindred Institutions, widely spread over the

_!'' ■ face of the Continent. These Institutions were, in the first in-

Sect. I. stance, very generally promoted, and afterwards fostered and
Central. ' j fo J i > „ . . .

encouraged, not only by grants, but by a system of visitation,

emanating from the Society in London, and in great part car-

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 399

ried on, at its expense, l)y its own Officers and Agents, or by EUROPE.

other friends deWated by it. „ ~^^,

T, 1 . . Chap. III.

But when, in consequence of the Apocryphal regulations, 1829-54.

all pecuniary grants to Societies continuing to ciixulate the gj,~ j
Apocrypha were suspended, and even grants of books much Central
limited, the system of personal and official visitation became,
to a great extent, inapplicable. The Foreign Societies which Adherence
still adhered to the Apocrypha — and these were by far the nentai So-
larger number — were now placed on a more independent footing, the* ^pg!
as regarded the original and Parent Institution in this country, crypha.
and were thus no longer in a position to profit, as they had
done, by its counsels and its aid.

The British Bible Society, however, though thus restricted Separate
from what had been its usual channels of distributions, was yet coramcnced
unwilling to forego the privilege of administering to the neces- by the Pa-
sities of the Continent. Besides which, it felt itself especially ciety!
urged, by a sense of duty, to seek to circulate the Inspired
Volume in its purity, as dissociated from the Apocrypha.
Hence It proceeded to adopt and favour, more fully than it had
hitherto done, direct Agencies of its own, either paid or gra-
tuitous, the operations of which might be more immediately
under its own regulation and control. Something of the kind,
indeed, had already existed in the instances of Leander Van Ess
and Professor Kiefter, and in the incipient labours of friends at
St. Petersburgh, to say nothing of the Agencies in the Me-
diterranean, which had from the first been entirely apart from
any associated native effort.

Now, however, the system of Agencies was to be carried to
a much larger extent.

As the operations of the Society on the Continent were hence- Different
forward to experience a change in their mode and character, ^. ^^^^'

1 C3 ^ ' view pur-

it may be desirable to depart a little from the plan which has sued in this
been hitherto adopted, and while still adhering to our review
of the Continent in large sections, as Central and Northern, to
trace the history of the Society's operations somewhat more
minutely in separate countries or districts, as they successively
became the seat and sphere of separate Agencies, taking for our
guidance the order pursued in the Society's Annual Reports.
With regard to the Foreign Societies, which became in a

400 HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE, great degree disconnected with the British Society, the labours
ChapTiii. of some of them, during the period on which we now enter,
1829-54. have been too important and vakiable to be wholly overlooked
Sect. I. in a review of the Bible work in Europe; but, at the same time.
Central, ^jjg notice to be taken of them in this work, henceforward, must
necessarily be somewhat more brief and incidental. Let it not,
however, be supposed that the Parent Society ceased to feel a
lively interest in the numerous Continental Institutions, which
it had been honoured, in so great a degree, to originate, and
which, constituted to a great extent on similar principles, were
still united with it by a common object and obligation, of the
highest and most spiritual nature.
France. FRANCE. — The earliest distribvitions of the Society for the

Paris Pro- ^^^efit of France, were, as we have seen, effected principally
testant So- through the medium of the Basle and other Continental Societies.*
cie y. rpj^^ Paris Protestant Bible Society was instituted in 1818, and

from that period took an active part in the chculation of the
Sacred Volume. But as that Society was, from its constitution,
restricted to the Protestant part of the population, it became
a great and important object to make some distinct provision
for the supply of the Roman Catholics, who constitute the
large majority of the inhabitants. It was primarily with a
view to this object, that the British and Foreign Bible Society
opened, in 1820, a depot of its own in Paris, and placed it
under the charge of Professor Kieffer.
Superin- The name of Professor Kieffer, it will be recollected, was

Sessor"^ first introduced to the notice of the Society about the year 1818,
Kieffer. in connection with the revision, the printing, and editing of the
Turkish Bible, which important work occupied several years
of arduous labour. It was before he had fully completed that
work, that he became an Agent of the British and Foreign
Society for the distribution of the Scriptures in France ; and
though his attention was first directed to the supply of the
Roman Catholics, for whom large editions of De Sacy's Testa-
ment and Bible had been printed, yet it soon became apparent
that there was a large field opened for his efforts among Pro-
testants as well as Catholics, without interfering with the

* Pastor Oberlin received some of the first grants.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 401

operations of the Protestant Bible Society. From this time, there- EUROPE,
fore, the Society's own depot, under his superintendence at CHAP~in
Paris, became a very abundant source of Bible distribution, 1829-54.
amounting, in the course of a few years, to 12,000, 15,000, sect. I.
and even 17,000 copies in a year; to provide for which, Centrai..
larger editions were required, both of the two French France.
Protestant versions, Martin and Ostervald, as well as of ^
De Sacy's, the Roman Catholic. Hence the Professor's time
was occupied in superintending the printing and binding of
these and other works required by the Society, as well as in
attending to and promoting their distribution. In this latter
department he was assisted by several active friends and cor-
respondents in diflFerent parts of France.

The distributions from the depot at Paris were carried on
with considerable success. During the year 1829, small depots
were opened in diflFerent directions, and thus many thousand
copies of New Testaments were put into circulation. A zealous
individual, much interested in the work, during one period of the
year, distributed 6000 copies in about 150 diflFerent places ; and,
during another, 12,000 in 400 places. Many testimonies were
received of the thankfulness with which these copies had been
accepted, and of the apparent good that had been accomplished.
Another individual, in the South of France, had laboured in a
similar manner, though not on so extensive a scale. To con-
tinue these distributions, a further edition of 10,000 Testaments
was ordered.

In the following year, 1830, the first individual above re- Efforts of
ferred to, M. Appert, was, on the strong recommendation of ' ^^^' '
the Rev. F. Cunningham, then in Paris, again employed on an
extensive tour, as the result of Avhich, channels were opened
for the issue of 17,000 copies of the New Testament; and, on
the same recommendation, 2000 copies were sent to a clergyman
in the South of France, who had received importunate requests
from all sides to be furnished with the Sacred Volume, which
led to the ordering to press, in the course of the year, 25,000
of De Sacy's Testaments, and two editions of the Protestant
Bible. Thus largely w^as the British Society enabled to
supplement the labours of the Paris Society by issues of its

402

HISTORY or THE

EUROPE.

Chap. III.
1829-54.

Sect. 1.
Central.

France.
1!;30.

Varied
labours of
Professor
KiefFer.

M. Appert, who was for some years a very active distributor
of the Scriptures in France, held an important office in
connection with the public schools and prisons of the king-
dom. His name does not, in the first instance, appear on the
pages of the Society's Reports, as it was not ahvays found
expedient, at that period, from the state of religious and poli-
tical feeling, to publish the names of parties engaged in the
work. For the same reason, Professor Kieflfer's name did not
appear publicly, for some time, after he had become the direct
and salaried Agent of the Society. This was made a serious
charge against the Society during the period of the Apocryphal
agitation, and insinuations were throwai out, that monies en-
trusted to him had not been duly accounted for ; which led to
the printing, in the Appendix of the Report of 1827, of a
specimen of the Professor's quarterly accounts, as regularly
transmitted and audited. This was also done in the case of
Leander Van Ess's accounts. From that time, the names of
both these gentlemen w^ere regularly introduced into the re-
ports, with their respective salaries or gratviities attached.

It may be here observed, that the literary laborirs of Pro-
fessor KiefFer at this time w^ere not confined to the revising and
editing of the Turkish Bible : under his superintendence, and
more or less by his assistance, the Scriptures Avere printed at
Paris in the Syriac and Carshun, the modern Armenian, the
Spanish, the Italian, the Basque, and the Breton languages.

Thus actively, and successfully was the Professor occupied
in the service of the Society, at the period on which we are
now" to enter; being engaged in numerous important w^orks,
and in carrying on an extensive correspondence ; not without
encountering, it is true, considerable hostility in some quarters,
which, together with declining health,* occasioned by excessive
application to business, somewhat interrupted and retarded his

* A circumstance which at this time probably contributed not a little to
the Professor's prostration of health, was the deep mortification he felt on
its being" discovered, that — quite accidentally, however, on his part— some
300 copies of the Italian Bible in his warehouse had been overlooked, in
the general removal of the Apocrypha from all the Societj^'s Bibles, or-
dered at that time. Much was attempted to be made of this incident,
of which full particulars are g-iven in the Appendix of Twenty-sixth
Report.

BRITISH xVND FOEEIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 403

work ; but still, on the whole, meeting with considerable en- EUROPE,
couragement. ^ ^ CnA^III.

This retrospective glance at Professor KieiFer's labours 1829-54.
seemed necessary, in order to a connected and comprehensive Sect. I.
view of the entire work which he was the instrument of con- Central.
ducting for the benefit of his country. France.

The political revolution of 1830, which placed the crown of ^^^^'
France on the head of Louis Philippe, removed many of the Revolution,
obstacles which had previously existed to the circulation of the
Scriptures. The Society, anxious to avail itself of these
favourable circumstances, appointed a Deputation to visit and
confer with the friends of the Society in France. The
Deputation, consisting of two gentlemen of the Committee* and
one of the Secretaries, had thus an opportunity of forming a
personal acquaintance with Professor Kieflfer, to whose ad-
mirable manner of conducting the affairs of his agency they
gave their unqualified testimony, and thus fully confirmed the
judgment pronounced by others. On their return, they recom- More fa-
mended a continued and increased liberality of distribution,
having been fully convinced that every precaution of which for
the case admitted had been, and would be, taken, to ensure a
beneficial appropriation of the grants of the Society. The
Deputation had much pleasure in perceiving that extensive
distributions had been made through the medium of the nume-
rous schools, and particularly in those belonging to the Society
for Mutual Instruction. In the city of Strasburg, fifty
masters, preparing themselves for their office, received, on quit-
ting the place, twenty copies each, for their several schools.
It would appear that, in one department alone, there were
schools in which, during the summer months, 21,000 scholars
were received, and more than 100,000 in winter. Numerous
additions were being continually made to the number. In one
letter a detailed account was given of more than 100 schools,
containing nearly 20,000 scholars, which were in the course of
receiving supplies in some degree proportioned to the numbers
attending them. Five thousand copies, Avhicli Professor Kieffer
had been authoriscd,in the year 1827, to furnish to schools of this
description, had been distributed among a number amounting

* Messrs. .Tosiah Forstcr and E. N. Tliornton.
D I) 2

vourable

lationoftbe
Scriptures.

404

HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE.

Chap. III.
1829-34.

Sect. I.
Central.

France.
1831.

Co-opera-
tion of
Messrs.
Courtois at
Toulouse.

to ninety-five ; and 5000 copies more liacl been appropriated
for a similar purpose.

The Deputation, before they left, induced a few friends to
form themselves into a committee to advise with Professor
Kieffer, when measures of more than usual magnitude might
require prompt attention ; and, by correspondence, and in other
ways to promote the object of the Society.

Such was the impulse now given to the work, that in the fol-
loAving year (1831) 186,000 volumes were required for the sup-
ply of the despot, of which 1 53,000 were of the version of De
Sacy. The issues of the year rose to 176,139 Bibles and Testa-
ments. The members of the Corresponding Committee them-
selves, received and issued above 20,000 volumes. Twenty
thousand copies were furnished to the Minister of Public In-
struction, who expressed his willingness, in the name of himself
and colleagues, to devote a portion of the money placed at their
disposal* to the purchase of this first and most salutary of
books, for distribution in the elementary schools. M. Appert
also disposed of 5610 copies.

Amongst numerous private friends in France that, about this
time, cheerfully and zealously came forward to assist in the
work, special mention is due to the Messrs. Courtois, Bankers,
at Toulouse. These three excellent brothers lent themselves
to the cause of the Society, with a zeal, assiduity, and per-
severance, which have brought it under no common obli-
gation. To prisons, and among the poor, in the city and in the
villages throughout the south of France, and among the Py-
rennees, and beyond them (in the neighbouring kingdom of
Spain), these devoted gentlemen sought, in various ways, and
especially by the distribution of the Scriptures, to impart the
blessings of spiritual instruction. Extracts from their cor-
respondence have enriched the pages of the Society's Report
through many years, affording very interesting details of their
unwearied, disinterested, and successful efforts.

These gentlemen were among the first, in modern times, to
employ Colporteurs to go from cottage to cottage, from house
to house, from mansion to mansion, in order to distribute
Bibles and Testaments at a very low price. Some of their

* 10,000 francs.

France.
183

'heir
experi
ments
Colportage

Pyrennees.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 405

very earliest communications relate to this subject. We give EUROPE
the following as a specimen : — Chap? Ill

The present moment is, then, peculiar!}' favourable, and we have tried 1^29-54.
to improve it. Besides the Protestants, whom we employ to sell the Sect. I.
Scriptures in the pubhc square, two Jews g-o throug'h every street and Centkal.
lane, and sell the New Testament at low prices among- the lowest orders of

society The word of God has now penetrated into places V832.'

Avhere it had never been heard of before. In the Hautes and Basses
Pyrennees, &c., it is pleasing- to think that the inveterate opposition which -pj^^jj. ^j.^.^.
had existed for so many years is now subsiding-, and that the word of God

is received with thankfulness and joy by Roman Catholics ™^,^''^j°

A number of villages in the most retired situations, and whither a smg-le
New Testament had perhaps never before penetrated, have been abun-
dantly supplied with the copies. In the neighbouring- fairs and markets
many have been disposed of, particularly in places wholly inhabited bj^

Boman Catholics The Bible, which for a long time had been

considered as a Protestant book, beg-ins to be looked upon by many as the
revelation of God to all Christians.

And again, in the following year, one of the brothers
writes —

" I have engaged several new Colporteurs, and, upon the whole, I
foresee that my stock of the Scriptures will soon be exhausted, so that I
must beg of you to send me 4000 copies of De Sacy's New Testament. I
am truly impatient to receive De Sacy's Bibles, as applications are making
to me on all sides for them. Pray forward 300 copies as soon as possible.
I am, in truth, almost ashamed to make such heavy demands upon you ; but
the time is so favourable, and withal of so solemn a character, that it is
mj firm belief that we shall have to regret it. If Ave do not avail ourselves
of the present opportunity.*

About the same period, a Society called " The Evan- Geneva
gelical Society" was formed at Geneva, with a special view iiJai°So'
to the benefit of France, whose operations from the beginning ciety.
were very much conducted by means of Colporteurs, as the
following account of the Society, furnished in the beginning of
the year 1833, will show : —

" Our Society, founded for more than two years, has pro-
spered beyond our expectations ; and has become a centre of ^

. . mi iV, 1 o • • 1 1 • . Operations

great activity. Ine Jiible Societies already in existence may by Col-
suffice for the wants of our cantons ; and hence we have P°'"*^^g^-
proposed, as the object of our labours, the east and south-east

* For further details of these first operations in Colportage by the
Messrs. Courtois, see Appendix II., Note C.

1832.

406 HISTORY or THE

EUROPE, of France. These countries, covered with infidelity and

CnApTlII. I^oiTiish superstition, are ahnost wholly destitute of the sacred

1829-54. writings ; and it might seem that the Christians of Switzerland,

Sect. I. 'ind especially of Geneva, which was once a luminary of

Central. Christendom, have a special call to present the light of truth

France, to those who are there sitting in darkness and the shadow of

death. It appears to us indispensable, in order that we may

successfully disseminate the word of God in these coimtries, to

send thither Bible Missionaries, whose office it is to sell, and

not to distribute gratis, the sacred writings ; and, at the same

time, to become the means, by God's grace, of causing men to

feel the value of His word ; and thus to be, to these ignorant

persons, what Philip was to the Ethiopian, who, holding in his

hands the inspired volume, exclaimed, ' How can I understand,

unless some man guide me ?' (Acts viii. 31.)"

This plan, begun at the end of the year 1831, met with
rapid success. Providence sent many active Christians, well
instructed in the Scriptures, who were prepared for the work ;
together with the means which were requisite for the support
of these disinterested persons ; and the British Society sup-
plied the copies of the Bible which were required. The
number of Bible Missionaries, of the departments which they
traversed, and of the books which they sold, never failed to
increase. Ten thousand copies of the Sacred Scriptures were
purchased in one year. At that time thirteen Bible Missio-
naries, appointed to four different stations, were in the field.
The reports of these Agents were filled wdth facts calculated to
excite in the hearts of all, gratitude to God. Soon the living
seed, which they scattered in places heretofore desert, pro-
duced good fruits. Souls lost in slumber Avere awakened by
the word of Divine grace.

The example of Geneva was followed at Lyons and other
places in France. In Basle, also, the plans of the Geneva
Society were adopted for extending the circulation of the
Sacred Scriptures in Departments in France. Thus rapidly
was developed and diffused that system of Colportage, which
afterwards became so prominent and important a feature, in
connection with the Society's own Agency at Paris.

In the year 1832, in the midst of his labours and his use-

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 407

fulness. Professor Kieffer was cut off by death, and thus the EUROPE.

Society was called to mourn the loss of one of the most efh- ch-vp"!!!

cient of its Continental Agents. 1829-54.

Many were the affectionate testimonies borne to the worth Sect. I.

and piety of Professor Kieffer, by those who knew him best. Central.

In the Memorial adopted by the Committee on this occasion, France.

after alludino- to their deep sense of the loss sustained by the ^ ^^'^^'
c . , t Beaih of

Society, they proceed to state — Professor

" That while they look back with gratitude upon the whole -f^'^ffer.
period of his Agency, extending over a space of fifteen years. Memorial,
and while they especially call to remembrance his great work
of editing the Turkish Bible, and his other numerous lite-
rary services rendered to the cause of the Society, they are
filled with admiring gratitude at the fact, that, during the last
two years, not less than 347,541 copies of the Sacred Scrip-
tures passed through his hands ; the issue of which is, in a
great measure, to be attributed to his watchfulness for every
opening, and to his unexampled and laborious diligence in con-
ducting a most voluminous correspondence with the fi-iends of
the Bible, throughout the kingdom of France."

Some interesting particulars in the life of Professor Kieffer
appeared in the " Archives du Christianisme," and these were
transferred to the pages of the Society's "Monthly Extracts"
for March 1833. One incident may be here introduced.

In the year 1796, Professor Kieffer was despatched to
Constantinople, as interpreter and secretary to the French
embassy. His stay in that capital lasted eight years ; and
when the war broke out with Egypt, he was confined in the
prison known by the name of the Seven Towers, together with
the French Charge-d' affaires, whose assistance in the study of
several Oriental languages, and more especially the Turkish,
to which he devoted the greatest part of his time, was of essen-
tial benefit to him. In 1803, M. KieflPer returned to Paris,
having been appointed to accompany a Turkish ambassador
to the court of Napoleon ; and, on his arrival, was nominated
secretary and interpreter of the Oriental languages in the
Foreign Ofiice.

It was during this seven years' imprisonment, that M.
Kiefter attained that knowledge of the Turkish language

408

HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE.

Chap. III.
1829-54.

Sect I.
Central.

France.
1833.

Distribu-
tions to the
Public
Schools
ami Hospi-
tals.

Appoint-
ment of
M. de
Pressense.

which gave hhn a fii'st place among Oriental scholars, and
which was afterwards to answer such an important end as the
publication of the entire Bible in the Turkish language. Thus
wonderful are the ways of Divine Providence !

In the year in which Professor Kieflfer died, the issues from
the Society's depot at Paris amounted to 175,185 ; in which
were included the following grants : — On the application of a
member of the Royal Council and Superintendent of Elemen-
tary Schools, 20,000 copies were granted for the schools of
sixteen departments, containing about 400,000 scholars ; and
on the application of the Minister of Public Instruction, a
second grant of 20,000 was made to the same quarter as in
the preceding year, and on the same terms, viz. for 10,000 fr.
A grant of 1000 copies was made, at the request of a member
of the General Council for Hospitals, entrusted with the super-
intendence of foundlings, who speaks of having " under him a
family of 16,000 of these unfortunate beings scattered over the
country." And the Messrs. Courtois received this year no
fewer than 800 Bibles and 13,200 Testaments.

The direct work of the Society in France having thus as-
sumed a character of so much magnitude, it became a question
of some importance, on the decease of Professor Kieffer, how,
and by whom, it should in future be conducted. A Deputa-
tion was accordingly appointed to visit Paris. It consisted of
one of the Secretaries, and two gentlemen of the Committee,*
accompanied by the Assistant Foreign Secretary, to assist in
winding-up the accounts, and the Depositary, who was
charged with collecting information on all matters connected
with the printing and preparation of the Scriptures. The
Deputation were likewise joined in Paris by Dr. Pinkerton.

After various interviews and conferences with the members
of the Corresponding Committee, and on their unanimous re-
commendation, the attention of the Deputation Avas directed to
M. de Pressense, as a gentleman whose personal character
and qualifications, as well as position in society, rendered him
a suitable person to succeed Professor Kieffer. M. de Pres-
sense is a gentleman of good family, and had formerly been a
Roman Catholic, and a pupil of the Jesuits ; but he had become
* Messrs. Josiah Forster and E, N. Thornton.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 409

a devoted friend of the Bible fi'om the time that, by its means, EUROPE,
tlie light of revealed truth had become fully manifested to his chap~III
mind. 1829-54.'

After a short time, M. de Pressense accepted the appoint- se^_ j
ment of Agent to the Society, which situation he has con- t:ENTRAL.
tinned to fill with singular fidelity and devotedness, and much France,
to the satisfaction of those who first entrusted him with it, and ^^^^"
who since have been best conversant with the manner in which
the duties of his office have been discharged.

An important step was taken in Paris, in the course of the
year 1833, in the formation of a new Bible Society, under the Formation
designation of the " French and Foreign Bible Society ;" its ^^^^ Yo-'^
rules, as well as its objects, being in exact accordance with reign"
those of the British and Foreign Bible Society. The reasons Society.
for the establishment of this new Society were stated in a Cir-
cular issued at its formation : they are summarily comprised
in the following paragraph taken from this document : —

"Hitherto it can scarcely be said that France has done
more in aid of the Bible cause than what referred to the wants
of one religious community. The political circumstances of the
country have long rendered it imperative to restrain the activity
of Associations, whose object was the dissemination of the Sacred
Scriptures ; but the moment seems arrived when these labours
may be pursued on a larger scale. The wish not to confine
these exertions to one or two religious denominations only,
forming a very trifling proportion of the 32,000,000 of the
population of France, has frequently been expressed. It might
well be asked, whether our Christian brethren in France ought
not to feel themselves roused to make some efforts, and some
sacrifices, for the purpose of propagating the Bible among the
immense majority of Roman Catholics in the country; the
more so, as our geographical position, our language, our Mis-
sionary connexions, although in their commencement, present
us with the means of introducing the word of God into
countries, to which other nations have not so easy an access ;
and these advantages, which have been vouchsafed to us by
Divine Providence, appear to impose upon us the most serious
obligations. We allude to other countries over which we
exercise a social influence, which cannot prove beneficial, un-

410

HISTORY or THE

Chap. Ill
1829-54.

Sect. T.

Central.

France.

1834.

EUROPE, lessj at the same time, a religious influence be also exercised.
It is high time to bear this in mind."

The claims of this new Society were urged upon the So-
ciety in Earl Street by the Rev. Mark Wilks, deputed ex-
pressly for this purpose ; and after the whole subject had been
maturely considered, a grant of £300 was made to it, toge-
ther with a set of stereotype plates. Further and repeated
grants, both of money and books, were afterwards made to this
useful and rising Institution.

At the same time, friendly communications with the Paris
Protestant Bible Society were not wholly discontinued, though
the restrictions under which that Society acted, and its adhe-
rence to the Apocrypha, necessarily rendered the intercourse
less free and full than it had formerlj?- been. The aid which
it received was restricted to grants of New Testaments, and
these chiefly, if not entirely, for specific objects.

M.de Pres-

sense's

agency.

We now proceed to glance at the history of M. de Pres-
sense's Agency, in which will be found exhibited no small
amount of earnest, well-directed, and successful eifort. At
the outset, indeed, some little difficulty was experienced, in
consequence of the finances of the Society at that time ne-
cessitating a somewhat less liberal distribution than had been
practised in the later days of Professor KiefFei'. Some regu-
lations were made for increasing generally the price at which
the Scriptures were to be disposed of, and limiting the gratui-
tous issues ; and this naturally tended to diminish the numbers
circulated for the first year or two, after M. de Pressense en-
tered on his Agency. A reduction, indeed, was again soon
made in favour of the Colporteurs, of whose efforts we have
now to speak more fully. This system of Colportage, as we
have seen, liad been for some time introdiiced into France,
and continued to be more or less acted upon ; but it was re-
served for M. de Pressens^ to give it a further development,
and to show it in its enlarged efficiency.

It was in 1834, that the British and Foreign Bible So-
ciety commenced seriously to set about the work of Bible
Colportage. It then authorized their Agent in Paris to em-
ploy, at the cost of the Society, a number of these devoted

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 411

men, who were to apply themselves exclusively, during EUROPE,
several months in the year, to the Society's work. The chap~III.
first of all the Colporteurs who offered his services, was 1829-54.
an individual who had formerly been a Roman Catholic, but sect. I.
who had been brought to a living acquaintance with the Central
truths of salvation solely by the reading of the word of God. France.
From the time that the Society constituted the work of Col-
portage the special medium of its operations in France, iip to J^^g^s^i^Q ^f
the year of Jubilee, 1,572,988 copies of the Scriptures were Coiportage.
put into circulation by the Colporteurs directly employed at its
expense. But this does not form the total number put into
circulation by means of Coiportage. A large proportion of those
described as furnished to the depots, which are stated at 180,325,
w^ere confided to the hands of trustworthy individuals, or of pri-
vate Committees, Avho have been engaged, at their own expense,
in carrying on a work of Coiportage. Two-thirds of the copies
sent to the depots are calculated to have been circulated in this
way, swelling the total number disposed of by these means to
about 1,700,000 copies.

Of the numbers thus put into circulation, seven-eighths
were of the version of De Sacy ; a fact which proves that it
is more especially among the Roman Catholic portion of the
population that the work has been carried on. And this fact
is more fully brought out by a calculation furnished at the
period of the Jubilee by M. de Pressense, froni which it w ould
appear, that out of the number of 2,271,709 copies issued by
him since the year 1833, 1,913,272 copies had been supplied
to French Roman Catholics.

But we are anticipating. — In 1835, M. de Pressense had
a personal interview with the directors in London, for the
purpose of receiving further directions and encouragements
in regard to the prosecution of his labours. On his return,
his efforts were renewed, with such success, that the fol-
lowing year witnessed an increase of nearly 20,000 copies
in the number of his issues ; and, in 1837, the issues,
which had, in the first year of the Agency, been about
55,000, reached to above 120,000, and the progression
contiimed, till, in the year 1844, above 150,000 were
issued : the annual issues for fourteen successive years

itself.

412 HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE, were above 100,000 copies. In tlie last few years, in con-

ChapTiii. sequence, probably, of political changes and other cavises, they

1829-54. sank to about 90,000, but never descended below that number ;

Sect. I. which, considering all the difficulties that were to be sur-

Central nioimted, is an astonishing fact, and tends not only to show

France, the zeal and wisdom with which the work was conducted, but

^^^^' the strong feeling in favour of Scripture reading, which had

gradually taken hold of the mind of the people.

One important and novel arrangement was introduced into
Colpor- the proceedings in France, in the year 1838, to which the
ployecfby Subsequent increase in the distributions is mainly to be
the Society attributed; this was the employment of Colporteurs directly
by the Society itself. Before this time, the Colporteurs en-
gaged in selling the Scriptures had belonged to other Societies,
and had taken up this work in connection with other religious
objects. M. de Pressense having, when in London, pressed
on the attention of the Committee the desirableness of selecting a
number of these useful functionaries, to be exclusively devoted
to the work of selling the Scriptures, it was determined, after
mature consideration, to proceed on this plan. Forty-four of
these humble and valuable labourers were selected and taken
into the full employ of the Society, and, after a few months^
their sales were found to amount to 34,874 copies.

The following extract will tend to show the kind of persons
employed in the work, and the pains taken in their selection, as
also the tenour of the counsel they receive before entering upon it.

" My first care," remarks M. de Pressense, " was to summon only such
as were real friends of the Bible to take a .share in the projected labour ;
and it will doubtless be gratifying" to you to learn, that after the calls
made for this purpose to a very small number of Churches only, more
than one hundred Christian brethren oifered themselves as candidates for
the honour. This is the clearest demonstration of the great progress
which the Gospel has made in France, inasmuch as it is probable that,
not more than twenty years ago, it would have been a matter of the
greatest difficulty to find only a dozen Bible distributors, properly qua-
lified, even if they had been sought for among all the Churches in the
country.

" It may be necessary to observe, that I strictly prohibit the Colpor-
teurs from circulating any thing but the Holy Scriptures, and that an
infraction of this rule would immediately put a stop to the connection
subsisting between myself and them. I earnestly recommend them to

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 413

apply to all their countiymen, making- no distinction with reg-ard to re- EUROPE,
lig'ious denominations, but considering- them all as immortal being-s, who —

have souls to be saved, and who cannot obtain salvation in any other , Aq" \\

way than by the conversion of their heart to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

It is easily understood that I cannot altog'ether forbid them from joining- Sect. I.
in conversations immediately referring- to the truths contained in the ^entrai.
Sacred Volume which they are employed to distribute ; for of what use France,
would it be, if they w^ere not to say something- that might lead to an un- 1838.
derstanding- of the absolute necessity of obtaining- the word of Godj in Instruc-
order to read it with the s\m-it of prayer, and to make it the sole rule of ^'""'^ ''''
their future conduct ? As little can I hinder them from replying-, though .Q^jg
always with mildness and simplicity, to those who ridicule and g-ainsay
them ; but my injunctions on such occasions are strictly to abstain from
all controversy that may have a tendency to irritate, and to take their
stand by the fundamental truths of Christianity, which may be briefly
summed up in the doctrines of the fall of man, and his consequent state of
condemnation; of justification by faith ; of reg-eneration ; and of the ne-
cessity of sanctitication ; in short, that salvation is a work of the g-race
and mercy of one only God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost."*

In a few years, the number of these useful and devoted
labourers employed exclusively by the Society, increased to
seventy or eighty, and after that they have been seldom
or never below that average : in one year (1845), they
amounted to 110, and frequently to more than 100. The
largest number sold by them in one year was 125,547 copies.
This was in 1844.

" It may be mentioned as a significant fact," writes M. de Most of the
Pressense, in his Jubilee Review, " connected with the work tears for-
of Colportage in Trance, that, with few exceptions, the work "J^rly
has been accomplished by individuals who were formerly Catholics.
Roman Catholics, but who became zealous friends of the Bible
through reading- copies purchased by them from Colporteurs.
As a consequence of the continual changes which occur in the
staff of the Colporteurs, the Society, since the time of its
taking up the work, has had in its employ from 280 to 300
individuals. Of this number, only tlie twentieth part were
Protestants by birth ; all the others were formei'ly Roman
Catholics ; and, further, of this number there have not been
more than a dozen, who have not been fully equal to the re-

* For further and full particulars of these proceedings, and of the in-
structions under which thej' act, see a long- and interesting- paper in Ap-
pendix to Thirty-fourth Report.

414

HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE.

Chap. III.
1829-54.

Sect. I,
Central.

France.
1843.

Result of
Colportage
in various
religious
movements.

quirements of their calling. All the rest have given proof of
a zeal, a devotion, a fidelity in the highest degree praiseworthy.
They have incontestably proved an ornament to the Gospel ;
and it may be added, that, in the estimation of the public au-
thorities, as well as that of the public generally, the title ' Bible
Colporteur' is equal to that of a good and upright man — a
man of order and peace."

Those who are acquainted with the Reports of the Society,
and its Monthly Extracts, cannot fail to have been struck by
the numerous interesting incidents there recorded, from time
to time, from the correspondence of M. de Pressense, illustra-
tive of the character, personal history, and labours, of his
Colporteurs. A few are introduced in the Appendix, not as
being more remarkable than many others, but as a specimen
of the Agency which has been at work in France for so many
years.*

It is not easy to calculate the number, or to estimate the
value of the benefits, which have resulted from the work of Bible
Colportage. It may, however, be useful to notice the bearing
which it has had on the religious movements which, within the
last few years, have been witnessed in different parts of
France.

M. de Pressense, in his Report for 1843, alludes to fifteen
Communes, of more or less extent, in which a very remarkable
religious movement had taken place in the midst of the Roman
Catholic population, in all of which the religious awakening-
was first begun by the distribution of the Scriptures through
the medium of Colporteurs.

In 1844 he mentions the following cases : —

" After the visits of several of our Colporteurs througli a large district
of the country, embracing- more than a hundred Communes, a lively in-
terest manifested itself, not merely for the reading of the New Testament,
but also for a practical adherence to the truths revealed in it. Our Col-
porteurs, being unable to satisfy these fresh wants without overstepping
the instructions laid down for them, were followed in their operations by
Evangelists. Two persons of this description accordingly entered upon
the field hitherto occupied by our Bible distributors, and were received
with an eagerness and a welcome truly astonishing.

" In a different part of the country, an extensive Commune, consisting
of more than six hundred inhabitants, assembled together en masse, after
* See Appendix II., Note D.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 415

a visit paid to them by a Colporteur, to declare themselves favourable to EUROPE.

the Protestant Religion. —

" In another part of France, wholly distinct from that mentioned before, i}399'_54

and comprehending an extensive range, inasmuch as two of our principal —

Departments are included in it, the inhabitants of several Communes, after Sect. I.

being visited at various times by our Colporteurs, came to a resolution to ^

follow the advice which they g-ave them. Accordingly they invited a France,
minister of the Gospel, who resided at no great distance, to come to them 1845.
for the purpose of instructing them in the Protestant Religion, which .
they were desirous of embracing. The authorities there, however, far c^j^^^unes
from appro^'ing■ of such a movement, did all in their power to put a stop embrace
to it ; but so little success did they meet with, that their opposition only Protest-
served to induce the inhabitants to declare themselves more strongly in ^° ' ""•
favour of Protestantism."

Again, in his Report for 1845 : —

' Let any one go to Saintonge, to the neighbourhood of Limoges,
and to many other Departments, and he will witness the most
glorious results of Bible colportage. At the very time of my now
writing, at thirty leagues distance from Paris, in an important
and principal place, where Romanism has long maintamed its sway
with gTcat power, one of my friends, a pastor in this city, is preaching
the Gospel in a temporary place of worship, attended by persons
of every class of society. What appears remarkable is, that his services
are conducted in a locality abutting on one side on a magnificent cathe-
dral, and on the other on an extensive convent, with a house in front full of
priests attending on the bishop. And who is it that has given rise to so
extraordinary a proceeding ? One of your Colporteur?, a young man
from the country, with nothing favourable in his exterior, who has sallied
forth to defy the Goliah of Superstition, not ' with a sling, or a shepherd's
bag full of smooth stones,' but with the Bible, and a knapsack well stored
with copies of the Sacred Scriptures."

From the Report of the following year, it appears that tlie
place last referred to was Sens,- a town of 10,000 inhabitants,
and the seat of a Roman Catholic archbishopric.

The letters of M. de Pressense contain much more that is
interesting, as regards not only the direct work of the Society
— the circulating of the Holy Scriptures, but also its results.
Tlie fruit of Bible reading which was now beginning to show
itself in very many qiiarters, in an ardent desire among the
people to obtain further evangelical instruction greatly in-
creased; and though it is not our province to follow the
work of the Society in these its more remote consequences,
yet it cannot but l)e matter of rejoicing to find that a thirst

416

HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE.

Chap. III.
1829-54.

Sect. 1.
Central.

France.
1850.
Remarks
of M. de
Pres<.ense
on these
move-
ments.

Christian
Churches
formed.

for the hearing of tlie word was found to follow the reading
of it ; and that through extensive districts of France, since
that time, Christian worship and Christian ordinances, in their
most simple forms, have heen eagerly sought after.

A further confirmation of the above facts is found in
M. de Pressense's " Jubilee Review," where the subject is
again referred to.

" It is to the work of Colportage, carried on by the British
and Foreign Bible Society, that we may attribute the existence
of all those great spheres of evangelization which are now
being cultivated with so much success by Evangelical Societies.
It was two of our Colporteurs, whom God made instrumental
in bringing about the I'eligious movement, which showed itself
in the department of the Yonne, a few years back. One of
them went through the towns, and the other through the
country districts of this department, and both succeeded in
disposing of New Testaments. It was in consequence of their
reports, that the Evangelical Society was induced to send some
Evangelists into that district. Another proof we have in what
occurred at Sens, where a minister from Paris, in a visit to
the place, preached every day, and had hundreds of per-
sons as auditors. Another proof is the formation of a church
at Auxerre, and at St. Maurice-aux-riches-Hommes, where
upwards of 200 persons, recently converted to Protestantism,
are struggling with admirable courage against much opposi-
tion.

" The great religious movement, also, which occurred some
years back in the department of La Haute Vienne, had for its
origin the sanctified labours of two of the Society's Colpor-
teurs. It was the New Testaments they disposed of in con-
siderable numbers, which led the inhabitants to make application
for Protestant Ministers.

" In the department of the Deux Charentes, and of La Manche,
the Colporteurs have been the means of producing movements
equally encouraging ; in short, it may be asserted, that when-
ever a work of Evangelization to any extent has, within the
last ten or twelve years, been commenced, it has been found
that in every case it has been the result of the labours of the
Society's Colporteurs. But it is not merely stations of Evan-

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 417

gelization, that the Bible Colportage has succeeded in creating ; EUROPE,
it was the origin of a number of Protestant Churches, now chap!^ III.
veiy firmly established; among the most important of which, 1829-54.
may be mentioned those gathered at Angers, Saumur, Toursj sect. I.
and Troies." Central.

Of the individual benefits, which have resulted from the France.
labours of the Colporteurs in France, it is impossible to form
any adequate conception. The instances which have come to
light, (and these, from the nature of the case, can form but a
very small proportion of the whole,) and which have been
transferred to the printed records of the Society, are exceed-
ingly numerous, and would, of themselves, form a volume of
no ordinary interest.

Nor can we speak too highly of the patient, zealous, and Zeal and
self-denying labours which have led to these results. In ance^ofCol-
cities, towns, and villages — in crowded thoroughfares, and in porteurs.
secluded hamlets ; now standing before the mansions of the
wealthy, now entering the cottages of the poor; now addressing
the peasants in the field, or the artisan in the workshop ; now
joining the solitary traveller, now in the schoolroom, in the
village inn, in the market-place, and in the fair ; are these
men found pursuing their huml^le, honourable calling — offering
the Scriptures to all ; inviting all, whether high or low, rich
or poor, to avail themselves of the invaluable treasure. This
work they carry on under the heat of summer, and amidst the
snows of winter ; toiling by day, and often wretchedly housed
and faring ill at night ; having not seldom to encounter opposi-
tion, reproach, contumely, and even personal violence ; and in
this work they have persevered, some of them for many years,
as was the case of one who died at Paris in 1846, after twenty-
six years spent in the service of the Society, during which
time he had dispersed with his own hands, and sold, nearly
12,000 copies of the Holy Scriptures.*

* The name of tliis Colporteur was Ladam. He entered the army in
1812, and quitted it in 1815. From this circumstance he was sometimes
called the " Old Napoleon Soldier." He was converted in 1820, and from
this period he devoted himself to the work of Bible Colportage, and was
privileged to put in circulation, as stated above, nearly 12,000 copies of
the Holy Scriptures. It was in 1839 he entered, in a more direct manner,
into the service of the Bible Society, and from tliat time his labours were
E E

418

HISTORY OF THE

EUKOPE.

Chap. III.
1829-54.

Sect. I.
Central.

France.
1851.

As to the character, generally, of these worthy labourers, the
testimony given above by M. de Pressens^ (than whom none
is more competent to give one), may be regarded as evidence
sufficient and satisfactory. It is enough to say of them that
they are, it is believed, men who know and love the Bible,
and who seek to regulate their conduct and conversation
according to it. Indeed, there is but little inducement to tempt
any others to accept, much less to continue in this honourable
and self-denying appointment.

Of the work of Colportage, regarded as a whole, may we
not say, with M. de Pressense, " that it is one of the noblest
jewels in the crown of the Society? Bible Colportage, carried
on with success in a country where error finds its most powerful
means of operation, is a work rivalling in importance all others
for the spread of the truth ; a work, moreover, respecting
which we are warranted in entertaining the brightest hopes ;
for it is one of those feeble things which confound the mighty,
and which the powerful hand of God can alone sustain."

But whilst we have chiefly dwelt on the work of Colportage,
as that feature of the Society's operations in France by which
they have been chiefly distinguished, it will be seen, from a
statement which will be presently given, that no inconsiderable
distribution Avas going on at the same time through the medium
of Religious Societies, schools, and depots, established in different
places, many of them conducted by warm friends of the
Society, who cheerfully and gratuitously rendered valuable
service in promoting the cause of Bible distribution.

And we may again allude to the constant and friendly co-
operation of the two Bible Societies, the " Paris Protestant,"
and the " French and Foreign," both which, especially the
latter, have contributed largely towards the common ob-
ject.

The general results of M. de Pressense's Agency, so far as
relates to the Scriptures issued, will be seen by the following
statement :— From 1833 to 1854, Religious Societies, 201,830;
Depots, 182,033; Colporteurs, 1,721,716; Schools, 143,824 ;

most abundant. In almost every place where this faithful Colporteur
went, individuals were awakened, and the estabhshment of several Pro-
testant congreg-ations may be regarded as the result of his eiforts.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 419

Sales, 118,260; Grants, 13,920; Total, 2,381,583. If to the EUROPE,
numbers issued during his Agency be added 730,650 copies, ChapTiiI.
the number previously issued by Professor KiefFer, it will 1829-54,
appear, that since the first establishment of the Society's Depot Sect. I.
at Paris, in 1820, there have been sent forth by it, 3,112,233 Cektral.
Bibles and Testaments. France.

Taking into account, further, the copies which, between the '

years 1805 and 1820, were put in circulation in France distribu-
through the instrumentality of the Society, either in a direct p°°jj'°g
manner, or through the medium of the various Continental alone.
Societies, including those which were distributed among the
French prisoners confined in this country, it may with great
probability be affirmed that the British and Foreign Society
has circulated not fewer than four milUons of copies of the
word of God in France. Of this vast total, it is computed
that nineteen-twentieths have gone into the hands of the
Roman Catholic portion of the population, whom it was the
aim of the Society more especially to reach ; since, from the
year 1818, as we have seen, a Bible Society had already
existed for the supply of members of the Protestant commu-
nion.

It only remains to notice the measures taken by the Society Scriptures
to supply a translation of the Sacred Scriptures in the Breton ^^^^^l^
language, — a language nearly allied to the Welsh, and the language,
one principally spoken in the province of Brittany. Mr.
Legonidec, a Breton gentleman of considerable learning, was
engaged, about the year 1824, by the Society, to undertake
the work. An edition of 1000 copies of the New Testament,
revised and corrected principally by the Rev. T. Price of
Crickhowel, an eminent Celtic scholar, was brought out in
1827.* This version, however, being found but imperfectly
adapted to the use of the people, a new translation of the New
Testament was undertaken and completed by the Rev. Mr.
Jenkins, a Missionary employed in Brittany by the Baptist Mis-
sionary Society ; and, in 1847, an edition of 3000 copies was
printed at the expense of the Bible Society, which met with

* The translation of the Old Testament, by M. Legonidec, revised by Mr.
Price, exists in MS. in the Society's Library ; but, for the reason above
alluded to, no part of it has hitherto been printed.
E E 2

420 HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE, favourable acceptance ; and a further edition has since been
Chap" III called for, and a distribution, by means of Protestant Ministers
1829-54. and Colporteurs, is still going on. In 1850, Mr. Jenkins thus
Sect. I. writes—

* "There are now two Breton Colporteurs in the field; men who are

faithful in their work, and who love the Lord, and appreciate his word.
As usual, in this work of the Lord, the opposition of the priests has been
great, and is now generally known in the country. This, of course, is a
serious obstacle ; but the word of God is gone forth conquering and to
conquer, until it will attain a complete victory over this opposition, and
all the powers of darkness. Perhaps this opposition is now in its greatest
strength : it will become less powerful to do mischief by-and-by, when
the New Testament shall be better known. This we perceive to some
extent already. The distribution of tracts on the Bible and the New
Testament has done much good. I know persons who read the divine
volume with a sincere desire of acquiring a knowledge of the truth."

Dr. Pin- GERMANY. — The relation of the Foreign Societies having,

general su- ^^ "^^® ^^^^^ ^®®^^' undergone a change, by the issuing of the

pennten- Apocryphal regulations, it became a question whether the

Continent,^ serviccs of Dr. Pinkerton, as Foreign Agent of the Society,

is;iO. would not be rendered of greater value by his being stationed

in some important and central point on the Continent, whence

his influence might spread in various directions around him.

This measure was rendered the more desirable, by the cessation

of the Society's connection with Leander Van Ess.

Residence After much deliberation, Frankfort-on-the-Maine was se-

fort ^'^" ' J^cted as the most eligible spot for Dr. Pinkerton's residence,

and thither he repaired, with his family, in the autumn of 1830.

The principal objects contemplated by this arrangement

were stated, in the minutes of the Committee, to be the fol-

p,. . , lowing: — "That with a view to promote the object of the

objects of Society, and the strict observance of its laws, in all cases

raugement. where the funds for supplying editions of the Scriptures for

circulation in Germany were furnished by the Society, the

siiperintendence of preparing them, with respect to the editions

used, paper, types, and binding, might be vested in him,

subject to the control of the Committee ; — that by residing

abroad, it might be more in his power to inspect and direct

the conduct of those superintending the depots in different

parts of the Continent ; to keep up a more regular intercourse

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 421

with the numerous individuals entrusted (instead of Societies, EUEOPE.
as was formerly the case) with the distribution of Bibles, and Chap~III.
to regulate their operations, more especially in the gratuitous 1829-54.
distribution of the Scriptures ; — that he might have more im- Sect. I.
mediately under his notice applications to the Committee for Ce^^-^I"
grants of the Holy Scriptures from individuals; — that he Germany,
might more readily devise and search out new channels for the
circulation of the Scriptures in those parts of Germany,
Austria, Bavaria, and Poland, which hitherto had received but
a scanty supply, and also in the southern and eastern parts of
Europe, as the way should be open ; — that he might yet moi'e
particularly turn his attention to the Roman Catholics in
Germany, Bavaria, and Switzerland, which had become ne-
cessary by the recent change in the Society's situation, through
the resignation of Professor Yan Ess ; — and that he might have
a more ready opportunity of travelling, from time to time, in
different directions, to superintend the several depots, and to
establish new connections for circulating the Scriptures."

Dr. Pinkerton's first attention was directed to the winding Takes
up of the affairs of Dr. Van Ess, and of some other subordinate theWo-"
Agencies ; and, where any of the latter were continued, the ciety's de-
concentrating of their correspondence. He also proceeded at Frankfort.
once to take charge of the Society's depot at Frankfort, which
had been previously, for a short time, under the charge of
Mr. Claus,* and which was immediately replenished, partly
from England, and partly from other sou.rces, with supplies
amounting to between 40,000 and 50,000 copies. He then
entered into new arrangements with booksellers, printers, and
bookbinders, suggesting various improvements, and obtaining,
in some instances, not only a reduction in the price, but also a
superiority in the quality of the paper, the printing, and the
binding.

The new editions of the Scriptures in German, Bohemian, and
Polish, ordered to press on Dr. Pinkerton's taking charge of
the depot, amounted to 40,000 copies, and he also set himself
to procure information relative to the printing of new works.

• Mr. Claus received an api)oiiitment under Dr. I'inkerton, which situa-
tion he continued to hold, till the year 1846, much to the satisfaction of
the Society.

422

HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE.

Chap. III.
1829-54.

Sect. I.
Central.

Germany.

1830.
Superin-
tendence of
editions
generally.

Extent of
printing
and corre-
spondence.

These were, a revised edition of Luther's version, by Senator
Von Meyer, of Frankfort ; a version of the New Testament
by Kistemaker ; and one or more editions of the Hungarian
Bible; all which works were subsequently completed. In
addition to these engagements, the continued and increased
distribution of the Scriptures necessarily formed an important
object in Dr. Pinker ton's settlement at Frankfort. Several
new channels were quickly opened, and an active corre-
spondence commenced, with a view to the obtaining of a
greater pecuniary return upon the copies, and a fuller detail of
their distribution.

These several objects have been constantly kept in view by
Dr. Pinkerton during the whole period of his Agency.

The editions of the Scriptures printed under Dr. Pinkerton's
superintendence have been very numerous. Thus, in 1834, he
speaks of having in hand eleven editions of the Scriptures in
seven different languages, viz. in the German, Polish, Lithua-
nian, Wendish, Servian, Hungarian, and Enghadine-Ro-
manese.

The reduction in the cost of the books issued by him,
and, at the same time, the improvement in their qu^ality, as it
respects paper, printing, and binding, have each been striking
and satisfactory.

Some of these editions have been large, and they have been
often repeated, so that the number of copies annually printed
at different places, under Dr. Pinkerton's direction, has seldom
been less than 30,000 or 40,000, and, in some years (1849
for instance), the numbers received into the depots, including
some purchased of printers not employed by him, amounted
to above 90,000 copies in one year. Some idea may
be formed of the extent of his correspondence, from the
fact of his having often exchanged above 1000 letters
in a year. In the year 1834, he exchanged 1188 letters
with 335 correspondents in different countries, viz. 560 letters
from them, and 628 written to them. Besides which, scarcely
a year has passed, when he has not made one or more journeys
on account of the Society, by which he had the opportunity of
personal intercourse, at one time or other, with most of his
correspondents. Some of these journeys occupied several

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 423

months, and extended over a distance of from 1200 to 1500 EUROPE,
niiles. ^ CHArill.

The issues effected by Dr. Pinkerton have varied from time 1829-54.
to time, owing to changing circumstances. They were never sect. I.
less than 30,000 in the year, and only in six instances less than Centrai,.
50,000. They have twice advanced to above 90,000, in 1845 Germany,
and 1849: in the latter they rose to 99,436; which is the ^^^^•
more remarkable, as, by that time, the depots mider Mr. Sc^riptures.
Tiddy, at Brussels, Cologne, and Amsterdam, were in full
operation, and Switzerland and Italy were largely supplied by
another agent. Lieutenant Graydon.

The total issues under Dr. Pinkerton's agency, from its
commencement at Frankfort in 1830 to 1854, amounted to
1,342,115 copies.

Having glanced at some of these general results of Dr.
Pinkerton's agency, we shall proceed to notice some details in
its history.

In the yesLV following his settlement at Frankfort, Dr. Tours in
Pinkerton accomplished two jom-neys on behalf of the Society, Germany,
which would either have been more extensive, or have been 1831.
followed by others, had not the visitation of cholera tlu'own
considerable difficulties in the way. As these journeys were
the first undertaken by Dr. Pinkerton after he entered on his
new position, and as they afford a fair specimen of his usual
way of proceeding on these occasions, as well as of the neces-
sity and advantages of such a system of visitation periodically
conducted, a somewhat more extended account of them is
here given than will be afterwards practicable.

In the first journey, which was to Stuttgart, he visited the Stuttgart,
parish of Aschaffenburg, containing a population of 6000 Ca-
tholics, and a small congregation of Protestants. The Pro-
testant minister, on his arrival in the parish only eighteen
months previously, could find but four Bibles in all the Catholic
families. This instance may be given as an example of mul-
titudes of other cases, which still existed, of extreme destitution
of the Scriptures. Wiirtzburg was next visited, the centre of
a population of 20,000 Roman Catholics, on whose behalf Pro-
fessor Fischer, an old friend of the Society, received a supply
of New Testaments. In the village of Freudenthal similar

424

niSTORY OF THE

EUROPE.

Chap. III.
1829-54.

Sect. I.
Central.

Germany.
1«31.

Details of
tours by
Dr. Pin-
kcrton.

Wurtem-
berg.

Baden.

measures were taken. At Stuttgart Dr. PInkerton met Mr.
Blumhardt, of Basle, and made arrangements with liim re-
specting the versions preparing by the Missionaries of the
Basle Missionary Society at Shushi, and the supplies of the
Scriptures which it was desirable to send them.

The expediency of extending the circulation of the Scriptures
among the Roman Catholics of Wurtemberg, formed an im-
portant subject in the deliberations held with the friends of
the Society in Stuttgart.

Dr. Pinkerton obtained a list of the names of fourteen pious
ministers and laymen, distinguished for their exertions in pro-
moting Christian objects, in the respective districts through-
out the kingdom, whom he sought, if possible, to employ in
distributing the New Testament among Roman Catholics.
This measure was rendered more necessary, on account of the
former grants of the Society for the Catholics in Wurtemberg
having been almost exclusively for the use of the schools, so
that, until then, comparatively few copies were to be found in
their families.

On his way home to Frankfort, Pfortzheim Avas visited, and
Di\ Pinkerton writes : —

" There also I visited Pastor Lindenmeyer, who has been
engaged for many years past in promoting our object, and
he has given me the names of twelve evangelical ministers
throughout the States of Baden, whom I intend, if possible, to
engage in a more active distribution of the Scriptures in their
respective vspheres, as the Baden Bible Society seems to have
fallen into a state of inactivity."

Thus effective measures were taken for introducing many
copies of the Scriptures into parts of the Continent heretofore
almost inaccessible to the Society's exertions, and from which
the most painful accounts had been received of the extreme
difficulty of obtaining the Sacred volume.

Of his second journey Dr. Pinkerton gives the following
account : —

" I have, during the last month, made a tour of upwards of
500 English miles in the States of Hesse Cassel, Westphalia,
the Prussian provinces of the Rhine, and the States of Nassau,
during which I have visited more than twenty of our corre-

BEITISH AND FOEEIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 425

spondents and Societies, examined into their operations, encou- EUROPE,
raged them in their benevolent labours, and promised new cha~III.
supplies where these were required. But in this tour — a con- 1829-54.
siderable part of it in places where I had never been before — Sect. I.
I have found it no easy task to meet with individuals pos- ^^'e-'^'tkal.
sessed of a suflGcient degree of love and zeal for the Biblical Germany,
cause, to enable them to become efficient labourers in it, in con-
formity to our rules. However, we have done what we could phaiia.
to warm the zeal of our old friends, engage new ones, and
make them all sensible of the great importance of placing the
word of God m thousands of families, who are still destitute
of this only sure guide to peace and happiness in time and in
eternity."

Among the new openings formed by Dr. Pinkerton during
the year, that at Hanau may be mentioned as very interesting.
The gentleman alluded to had manifested the same activity in
a former sphere of exertion.

" Mr. Wach, Provincial Secretary, waited upon me," remarks
Dr. Pinkerton, " some time ago, and expressed his earnest desire
to do something for introducing the Scriptures into the schools
of that province, which contains a population of 47,000 souls.
His influence, as an officer under Government, enables him to
effect this desirable work the more easily. He is but recently
come to Hanau, and had formerly exerted himself, in connec-
tion with Mr. Stockfeld, in the province of Wetzlar, in the
same cause. I have therefore placed 300 Bibles and 350
Testaments at his disposal, to begin w^ith, for distribution, upon
the general principle of our grants."

In Hanover, also, a pious nobleman cheerfully promised
assistance. The Missionaries connected with the Society for
Promoting Christianity among the Jews, aided in the circula-
tion of the Scriptures, and were furnished, with supplies.

A few specimens may now be given, of the correspondence Correspon-
carried on with individual friends of the Society, in different fXviduab.
quarters of Germany. Bishop Fabricius was supplied with
1000 English, 250 Bohemian Bibles, and 500 Bohemian Bohemia.
Testaments. In Bohemia great difficulties existed in the way p^'iJ^^^g^g
of circulating the Scriptures ; but Bishop Fabricius wrote: —

" The information which has already reached me from

426

HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE.

Chap. III.
1829-54.

Sect. I.
Central.

Germany.
1833.

Silesia.

Incidents
illustrative
of the eager
reception
of the
Scriptures.

Bohemia, and which I continue receiving, is to the following
effect, namely, that there is a general desire after the Word
of God in Bohemia, and that the people are rejoiced whenever
they have an opportunity of satisfying it. * Come over, and
help us,' is the constant cry from that country ; and though
we are prohibited from so doing, we endeavour, by every means
in our power, to convey the living Word of God into their
hands."

Mr. Otto, of Cosel, Silesia, received a considerable number
of Catholic Testaments. He writes : —

" The circulation of the Polish Testament is going on briskly
in Upper Silesia, notwithstanding there are those who use their
utmost endeavours to prevent the people from perusing the
Scriptures ; but it is out of their power : Upper Silesia is now
infected, and the reading of the Bible will prosper in it, and
bring forth good fruits. This book, which gives the knowledge
of salvation, is now introduced into many schools, and the
children are actively engaged in committing parts of it to
memory."

Another nobleman in Silesia furnished a voluminous account
of the distribution of 1500 copies.

The following interesting narrative is connected with a part
of Dr. Pinkerton's labours at that time: —

" Many adults and married persons in the district of Carlshuld
learned to read, in order to make themselves individually ac-
quainted with the word of God. Very many learned whole chap-
ters, or such single verses, by heart, as had proved of great
edification to them, and committed the Epistles and Gospels in
the Church services to memory. The whole day they carried
their New Testaments about with them ; and whenever they could
rest a few moments from their labours, they eagerly took them
out, and edified themselves in the perusal of them. In most
families social worship was introduced ; and on all such occa-
sions a portion, or even whole chapters, of the New Testament
were read. In fine, the word of God had acquired a high and
divine importance in their eyes, and every one was glad and
eager to possess it.

" The written word of God, and the preaching of the Gos-
pel, now became of primary importance to them ; and they

BRITISH AND FOKEIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 427

found it to be daily more valuable, more consolatory, and more EUROPE,
indispensable to them. The Bible was their favourite book of chapT III.
reading, and their sole guide and director in faith, doctrine, 1829-54.
and conduct. They proved every thing by it, and rejected Sect. I.
whatever did not accord with it. The number of those Central.
who inquired after the word of God daily increased. The Germany,
stock of Testaments was several times exhausted ; but the ^^^'^•
British and Foreign Bible Society always sent fresh sup-
plies

" This event," continues the narrator, " is mainly and prin-
cipally the fruit of the distribution of the Sacred Scriptures,
and affords a conclusive proof of the blessings which, in these
days, attend the Bible Societies. May the friends of the Lord
in England regard the result as the most acceptable thanks
which we can offer for their generous and benevolent grants
of the word of God, so affectionately and so disinterestedly
bestowed upon the poor people of Carlshuld. Many were
the prayers which were offered up, with tears of gratitude,
to the Lord by them in behalf of their generous benefac-
tors."

" Let the friends of the Lord " he concludes, " not be weary
in disseminating richly the word of God among the Catholics
in Bavaria ! In due season, it v/ill, by the blessing of the
Lord, produce fruit a thousand-fold. By the distribution of
the sacred volume in the fens of the Danube alone, and
the neighbourhood, several hundred persons have been
enabled to attain to the possession and enjoyment of the
grace and truth of the Gospel ; and there are still some hun-
dreds who are powerfully laid hold of by the same grace
and truth, yea, are convinced of the same, but yet do
not possess the requisite courage, in spite of ridicule, con-
tumely, and persecution, openly to declare themselves in fa-
vour of it."

Besides the correspondence opened with individuals, Dr.
Pinkerton early established a beneficial intercourse with dif- Correspon-
ferent Societies on the Continent, several of which were sup- gop^etj^s
plied, from time to time, with copies of the Scriptures from
depots under his care; and with most of these Societies he
maintained a regular and friendly communication. Hence he

428

HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE.

Chap. III.
1829-54.

Sect. I.
Central.

Germany.

1834.
Supply of
Scriptures
to the Prus-
sian Army.

Mr. Eisner.

Sanction
and sup-
port of the
Crown
Prince.

This sup-
ply con-
tinued.

was enabled to keep the Society at home supplied with mucli
interesting information respecting their proceedings.

Among the earliest matters which engaged the attention of
the Society, after Dr. Pink erton became established in his new
position, was the supply of the Prussian troops with copies of
the Scriptures. An opportunity was presented, through the
zeal of a general officer of the Prussian army, for supplying
the whole of the military. Mr. Eisner, of Berlin, one of the
Secretaries of the Prussian Bible Society, and who also
had become from the first an active correspondent of Dr.
Pinlcerton, was the medium through whom the application was
made. The request, in the first instance, was for the
Society to bear half the expense of 36,000 copies of the
New Testament, or to provide 18,000 copies: 6000 copies
of Van Ess's Testament were likewise requested for the
same purpose. After long and mature deliberation, the request
was complied with, and very satisfactory accounts were re-
ceived of the first distribution. It appeared that they had
been dispersed among 140 regiments, stationed In ninety-two
towns. Many of these Testaments, It was trusted, would not only
prove a solace to the Immediate possessors, but would even-
tually be carried to the bosom of their families, when they re-
tired from the service, or had leave of absence granted them.
The soldiers themselves paid something for the copies, and a
donation from the Prussian Bible Society went to make up
what was wanting towards printing the required editions.
After a time, the Crown Prince, now King of Prussia, charged
his own privy purse with a fourth part of the expense of each
copy ; the soldiers were required to pay another fourth part ;
and the British and Foreign Bible Society had the pleasure of
providing the remaining moiety.

Thus commenced a system of administering to the spiritual
wants of the Prussian army, which has been carried on through
successive years, until at length the number of copies of the
Scriptures supplied has amounted (in 1854) to 366,000 copies,
in part Bibles, but chiefly Testaments, in the German, Polish,
Lithuanian, and other languages spoken by the troops ; and
the Society's much valued correspondent, Mr. Eisner, conti-
nued to be the party through whose hands all these books

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 429

passed, and besides devoting himself to the above object, EUROPE,
ceased not to promote, in every way in his power, the work of chap. III.
Bible distribution, — a pleasing instance of patient, untiring, 1^29-34.
self-denying consecration to the cause of truth.* Sect. I.

The following testimony as to tlie manner in which these Central.
books were received and prized, at an early period of their distri- Germany,
bution, is furnished by a Military Chaplain stationed at Cologne : —

'' When the arrival of the new supply had g-ot noised abroad, some hun-
dreds of soldiers presented themselves at my residence by break of day,
and beg-g'ed to be furnished with the Gospel ; so that, in the course of a acceptance
few hours, no less than 500 New Testaments, and as many Psalters, had of Scrip-
been distributed. The soldiers came in companies of six to my lodgings ; ^^^^^ °J
and when presenting to them the sacred volume, I admonished them to
be diligent in the perusal of it, instructed them in what manner the^'^ wei'e
to proceed with respect to difficult passages in the Scriptures, cautioned
them against entering into unedifying conversations on religious subjects,
and exhorted them to give evidence of their faith by a punctual and faith-
ful discharge of the duties of their situation.

" The distribution of New Testaments was continued for several weeks
tog-ether, at my lodgings ; and so numerous and pressing were the appli-
cations for them, that the hall, the staircase, the landing-place, yea, the
whole breadth of the street, were filled with soldiers, who, however, main-
tained the greatest regularity, and were each in turn supplied with copies.
It not unfrequently happened that my bell was rung at four o'clock in
the morning ; and soldiers, who were sallying forth with their arms to
the place of exercise, seized that early opportunity of supplying them-
selves with New Testaments, fearful lest, on their return, they might be
disappointed.

" That good use is made of the Testaments thus put into circulation,
both in the barracks and the houses in which the troops are billeted, as
also in the guard-room itself, has been often reported to me ; and it has
afforded me the sincerest dehght, when I have occasionally met with a
soldier busily employed in reading the sacred volume in his walks."

Among the earliest of Dr. Pinkerton's correspondents is Silesia.
found a noble lady, the Countess of Reden, who has long pre-
sided over a small Society established in Buchwald, in Silesia. Efforts of

Dr. Pinkerton, in 1834, after a visit paid by him to Buckvvald, tl^e Count-
„ ,, . .1 PI . . PI-., • ess of Re-

gives the followmg particulars of the origni of this interesting den.

and active Association : —

" The Countess informed me that her late husband, the Count, for-
merl}' Prussian Minister of State, instituted this Society on the 19th June

* Mr. Eisner died in 1850, and has been succeeded in his work by his
son-in-law, Major Westphal.

430 HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE. 1815 ; ijlaced her at the head of it as President, with the pastor of the vil-

— lage and two or three persons belong-ing- to the place as the Committee,
1829-54 ' ^^^ three weeks afterwards departed tliis hfe; that she had found great

— solace to her grief in nui'sing the infant Society entrusted to her special
Sect. I. cai'e by her lamented husband ; that vSir James Riddell, a native of Scot-

^^ ^' land, was among the first contributors to its funds, by a donation of four
Germany, louis d'or ; and that such has been the Divine blessing upon her labours,
1837. that 30,141 copies of the Holy Scriptures have been put in circulation by
President their Auxiliary. At present, the Society consists of 260 members. Its
of the sphere of operation includes ten towns, and about seventy villages scat-

sociationat ^^'''^^ "^ ^^^^ valleys and on the declivities of the majestic Giants' Moun-
Buchwald. tains. This extensive field is densely peopled, and is divided into twelve
districts, in each of which there resides a Corresponding Director, who has
charge of a depot, and conducts the distribution in his quarter. The poor
generally are unable to pay more than half-price for the Bibles, and one-
third of the price for the Testaments."

Of the labours in which she took personally so active a part,

the Countess herself writes, a few years afterwards (1837): —

" We held the first meeting of our Committee in this year, on the 23d

Anniver- ^^^*-> (^^^ birth-day of the late Count, who was the founder of our So-

sary at ciety,) and harmony prevailed throughout, under a powerful feehng of

Buchwald, the merciful assistance of the Lord, of which we are truly so unworthy.

I had the pleasure of exhibiting- to the members assembled a map of our

Bibhcal operations in Silesia. It contained between 120 and 126 places,

all of which are belonging to, or connected with, our Society, whither we

send the word of God in various languages. The number of members

belonging to us is at present 258, and I feel often greatly affected and

penetrated by the grace of God, when I reflect what an inconsiderable

speck our little Buchwald forms on the map ; and yet that fi-om it 40,000

persons have been supplied with the Sacred Volume. May the Lord in

mercy grant that His eternal word may have found its way, through our

feeble instrumentality, to as many heaits !"

In 1843, the issues of the Buchwald Association had ex-
ceeded 60,000 ; before which time, however, a new object was
found to engage the attention of the benevolent Countess. It
is thus referred to by Dr. Pinkerton : —
Tyrolese " Durmg the last few years the Countess has been much occupied with

Protestant the settlement of the sixtj'-three famihes of ZiUerthal peasantry, who, from
cated near reading the Scriptures and the writings of Protestants, became convinced
the Giants' of the errors of Popery, and, in the year 1837, were compelled either to
Mountains return to the Catholic Church, or leave their native valleys in the Tyrol,
The latter painful alternative they chose j and when the late King of
Prussia was made acquainted with their sufferings and destitution, by one
of their number whom they had sent to him for that purpose, he gene-
rously allowed them to settle upon a part of his own estate at Erdmanns-

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 431

dorff, at the foot of the Giants' Mountains. Their huts are now studding- EUROPE.
the place, built in the style of their Tja-olese habitations ; and to each there —

is attached a small farm, which they cultivate for their support. The King ^i^tq IP*

entrusted the settlement of these exiles on account of their relig-ion to the

Coimtess, who has executed her commission with great success, after hav- Sect. I.
ing had many difficulties to overcome ; and the gratitude of the poor people Central.
from Zillerthal is marked on every occasion when they meet her : her Germany,
name among them is changed from the Countess von Reden to 'Our 1843.
Mother.' I visited several of their neat cottages, and found them well
supplied with the Scriptures. I was much gratified, in conversation with
them, to find them really well read in the Bible, and able to quote with
ease in support of their own principles."

These zealous eflForts have been kept up from year to year,
and the year of Jubilee found the venerable Countess, in her
seventy-ninth year, still occupying the post she had so honour-
ably sustained for nearly forty years, and still rejoicing in the
diffusion and influence of Divine truth.

The name of another much respected correspondent may be Labours of
here introduced, whose period of labour terminated, through ^^Sus,^?'
age and infirmities, within a few years after Dr. Pinker- Hermhut.
ton's settlement at Frankfort : we refer to the excellent Bishop
Fabricius, of the Church of the United Brethren at Herrn-
hut.

" It was in the year 1814," writes Dr. Pinkerton in 18.36, " that I first
made the acquaintance of this our zealous coadjutor, and at that time per-
suaded him to take part with us in the Biblical work. For nineteen years
he has laboured with zeal and success in it ; and has been the honoured
instrument of disseminating, in Lusatia and Bohemia, no fewer than
58,926 copies of Bibles and Testaments in the German and Bohemian
languages, solely at the cost of our Society, and upwards of 5000 copies
on account of the Herrnhut Bible Society."

In the course of a iourney in 1844, Dr. Pinkerton visited no Tour of Dr.
„ ^ . . .,..,,. Pinkertou

fewer than forty-seven Societies, or individuals m correspon- j^ 1344.
dence with him, formed seventeen new depots, and put above
10,000 copies of the Scriptures in course of distribution in the
countries through which he travelled.

In the following year he made two important journeys on
behalf of the Society. The first occupied ten weeks, during
which he travelled upwards of 2000 miles, in Saxony, Silesia, Silesia,

• T^ • J TT r'olana,

Prussian Poland, Lithuania, Pomerania, Prussia, and Hesse &c.
Cassel. The second journey, of about 1000 miles, was in
Lower Saxony and Westphalia. In Gumbinnen, the seat of

432

HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE.

Chap. III.
1829-54.

Sect. I.
Central.

Germany.
1845.

Konigs-
berg.

Eagerness
of the poor
for the
Scriptures.

government for Eastern Prussia, 600 Polish Testaments were
placed at the disposal of Mr. Rottig, Counsellor for Schools,
from whom the following information was received : —

" There are," stated Mr. Rottig-, " in the province of Gumbinnen alone,
upwards of 100,000 Protestant Mazure Poles, who understand no lan-
guag-e but PoHsh, and read the Scriptures in the Gotliic character ; and it
is estimated that they are equally numerous in the provinces of Marien-
werder aud Kbnigsberg-. This gives a population of 300,000 Protestants,
formerly constituting part of the Duchy of Masovia ; among whom our
10,000 copies of the PoHsh Bible, printed since the year 1810, in Berlin,
have been circulated,, together with several editions of the New Testament.
They inhabit a tract of country about forty English miles broad along the
frontier of Poland, from Thorn to Gumbinnen ; and also that part of Up-
per Silesia which lies betwixt the eastern bank of the Oder and the borders
of CathoHc Poland."

At Posen Dr. Pinkerton succeeded in making an agreement
for the printing of 3000 copies of the Polish Bible in Gothic
characters, a work which he had in vain been attempting for two
years to get executed at Warsaw.

At Konigsberg he received fi'om the Rev. Mr. Bergfeldt, who
had charge of a depot there, the following pleasing account of a
distribution which took place after a sermon preached by him : —

" In consequence of this," writes Mr. Bergfeldt, " I was applied to, the
very next day, by several persons of the poorest class, begging for the
word of God ; and I was glad in being able to supply them according to
their circumstances, either at a low price, or entirely gi'atis. This was a
signal to many others : the people fomid that they were not empty words
and expressions which I had preached to them ; and they came in num-
bers to supply themselves with the word of God. From this parish the
report spread to others, that the poor people could get Bibles and Testa-
ments ; and thus they came flocking from all parts of the town ; so that
I had more than a thousand persons in my house during the last fortnight ;
and as long as the house has been standing, I am confident not half so
many tears were shed in it as durmg this time ; and that not for bodily
food, but for the bread of life ; not for gold and silver, but for the word
of the living God, which indeed is better than thousands of gold and
silver. I was employed from morning to night talking to these people,
inquiring particularly into their circumstances, and giving them suitable
advice and admonition for the proper use of the Scriptures. Numbers I
have been obhged to send awaj^ unsatisfied, because I soon found that my
stock was not at all adequate to the desire that had been excited."

Switzerland.— In 1836, Dr. Pinkerton visited tlie south
of France, Switzerland, and parts of Italy. At Geneva he found

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 433

" the Evangelical Society" actively labouring in the cause EUROPE,
of Bible distribution. Twenty-two Colporteurs were at that ChapTiiI.
time employed by them; the whole, excepting one, in 1829-54.
France. Special notice is here taken of the efforts of this Sect. I.
Society, because it was principally aided in this branch of its ^'^ntral.
work by grants from the British and Foreign Bible Society. Switzer-
Five thousand Testaments had been placed at its disposal jggg^
only the preceding year, and 2000 more were granted abou.t Geneva
the time of Dr. Pinkerton's visit ; and it has continued to re- gg^fcal So-
ceive assistance to a greater or less extent, as occasion has ^iety.
required.

The encouragement thus given to the conductors of the
"Evangelical Society" at Geneva, became the more marked
and important, from the withdrawment at this time, by the Withdraw-
British Society, of all such countenance and aid from the parent ' ^
" Geneva Bible Society." This step was in consequence of the Society-
last-named Society having then recently taken part in the "Geneva
circulation of an edition of the New Testament prepared by the ■^^^'®„^°"
company of Pastors of Geneva, which not only contained
notes, but was of a character widely different, in essential
points, from those versions which were in common use in
France. This reason is explained more at length in the fol-
lowing extract of a letter on the occasion, addressed to the
Committee of the Geneva Bible Society, in the name and on
behalf of the Committee of the Society in London, by its Secre-
tary :* —

" The work in which our Society is engaged is one of no Letter of
small difficulty, and the work of selecting suitable versions is mittee™'
certainly one of the most arduous parts of our duty. In this,
however, the Society has been materially assisted, by finding,
in every part of the Continent, among the different Churches,
such versions as have long approved themselves to the Chris-
tian public; versions, speaking one language, breathing one
sentiment upon the great doctrines of our holy religion, and
especially that of the proper Deity of our Lord and Saviour.
We do not pretend that these versions are perfect, that they
are not susceptible of improvement; but we are persuaded
that they are, generally speaking, faithful representations of the

* The whole letter is p-iven in the Thirty-fifth Report of the Society.
F F

434

HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE.

Chap. TII.
l«29-54.

Sect. I.
Central.

Switzer-
land.
IfiSS.

Continued
demand for
the Scrip-
tures in
Germany.

originals. We do not say that we will never unite In any
attempt to improve these versions; though our experience,
gained in the attempt to improve Ostervald's version by the
pastors of Lausanne, would make us exceedingly cautious on
embarking in such a proceeding. But when a version comes
before us in which essential and fundamental changes have
been made, the effect of which is to cause the Bible to speak a
very different language from what it has hitherto done ; when
such a version introduces views of our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ wholly at variance, not only with the truth, but also
with the views of the Christian Church at large ; we feel it our
duty, with all plainness and faithfulness, to say that we not
only cannot circulate such a version ourselves, but must with-
draw from any connections, which, as Bible Societies (unhap-
pily, as we judge), encourage and countenance such fearful
changes."

From that period all communication between the Societies '
ceased.

The year 1838 was one of great exertion on the part of
Dr. Pinkerton, but unhappily it was attended with much
suffering. In one of his journeys he was arrested by illness,
and laid up for seven weeks, at Schwytz, whence he was com-
pelled to return home much debilitated. Still it was a year
marked by much interesting circumstance, and by a large
amount of success. The issues amounted to above 48,000
copies, in thirteen or fourteen different languages. At its
close Dr. Pinkerton writes :• —

" In some distant parts of our extensive field, where an ex-
traordinary desire for the Divine word has been awakened, a
mournful deficiency of it has been detected ; many thousands
of copies have already been provided to meet these wants,
while means have been devised to afford a still greater supply.
Even in those parts of Protestant Germany that have been,
for upwards of twenty-five years, annually receiving large
distributions of the Holy Scriptures at the expense of British
Christians, there is a constant, yea, if any thing, an augmented
call for them, in proportion as the people are awakening from
their long-continued state of indifference to the sacred book,
and as it is being more extensively introduced into the schools.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 435

The grants of copies, both to Roman CathoHc and Protestant EUROPE,
schools, are gratefully acknowledged, and it is consolatory to ciiap~III.
reflect how many poor children there are in early age brought 1829-54.
to an acquaintance with the blessed truths of the Gospel, who, sect. I.
but for the aid granted by our Society, would in all probability Central
have remained destitute of this precious boon," Germany.

An attempt was made during this year to employ Colpor- ^^^^•
teurs in promoting this good cause, but comparatively little
was effected by these means, chiefly on account of the poverty
of the people, and obstrnctions thrown in the way by the civil
authorities. The principal channels for distribution, therefore,
still continued to be through individuals, especially the clergy
of different confessions, who had the best means of knowing
the wants of their people, and of conducting the distribution
in strict accordance with the regulations of the Society, The
Society was deeply indebted, in Poland and Prussia, to the Mis-
sionaries of the London Society for promoting Christianity
among the Jews, for the efficient aid they rendered in supplying
not only the Jews, but also the Christians, in the sphere of
their labours, with the word of God. The Rev, Mr. Berg-
feldt of Konigsberg, and the Rev. Mr. Becker of Warsaw,
for many years showed a laudable zeal in promoting the work
of Scripture distribution, while at the same time they were
actively engaged in preaching the Gospel to the Jew^s.

This year died, at Basle, a long-tried friend and active pro- Death of
meter of the cause of the Society, Rev. C. T. Blmnhardt, B[|)n,hardt
Inspector of the Missionary College in that city. He had for of Basle,
a series of years rendered many important services to the 183S.
Society, by his interesting and useful correspondence ; by trans-
lating portions of the Monthly Extracts, and of the Annual
Reports of the Society, into the German language, and pro-
curing for them a very extensive circulation ; and by impressing
on the minds of Missionaries, sent out from under his charge,
the importance of devoting themselves, wherever an opportu-
nity offered, to the translation, printing, and circulation of the
Holy Scriptures in the vernacular languages and dialects of the
countries where they might be called to labour.

In the following year, 1839, Dr. Pinkcrton, though not
wholly recovered from the effects of his alarming illness, was

F F 2

436 HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE, enabled unremittingly to pursue liis labours, and even to
ChapTiii. accomplish three journeys, one of them of considerable ex-
1829^-54.' tent.

Sect. I. Dr. Pinkerton's second journey, this year, extended as far
Central, ^g Hamburg ; and at many places in the course of this journey
Germany, he had frequent confirmation of the difficulty, not to say im-
practicability, of employing to any extent, at that time, the
system of colportage, in the countries through which he passed :
he had also to lament over the wide-spread and still powerful
prejudice, existing against the use of Bibles without the
Apocrypha.

From one place he gives the following painful account of an
abortive attempt, by a zealous Rector, to introduce the system
of Colportage : —

First efforts '' Having obtained permission of the local authorities to make the trial,
in Colport- jjg ggj^^ £^jj.^|j ^^,Q Colporteurs laden with thirty-seven Bibles and fifteen
cessful. Testaments ; but, wouM you believe it, they travelled for three days, from
villag-e to villag-e, and from house to house, and returned without being-
able to sell a sing-le copy, though they offered them to rich and poor at
half price ! On the 5th of April he sent them out a second time, in a
different direction, and they returned at the end of three days, having-
disposed of only two Bibles and two Testaments ; and even these would
not have been sold, they said, had they not met with a pious minister
who persuaded some of his people to buy them. The difficulties they
chiefly complained of were, the opposition of the Neologian clerg-y against
the Bibles without the Apocrypha, who also alleged that their own Bible
Societies were quite capable of supplying them and their own people with
as many complete Bibles as they required."

It will be seen, that after a few years the difficulties in the
way of the system of Colportage were greatly relieved ; but
those relating to the Apocrypha have continued, and even
increased. Not that they have been of a nature to induce
the Society to waver for a moment, as to the policy and
propriety of the course it has pursued ; but they have been
sufficient to show, that it is less easy than many imagined, to
bring the continental communions to concur in the measure,
and that still much has to be encountered.

Hungary. — Among the issues for the .year 1839, which
amounted to above 55,000 copies, 11,298 are stated to have
been circulated " in a far-distant Protestant land, in the east of

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 437

Europe, which had long been deprived of seasonable supplies EUROPE,
of copies of the Divine word for its Churches, families, and chapTiii.
schools, and where many times ten thousand copies would 1829-54.
be required before even the most pressing wants were re- sect. I.
lieved." It is to Hungary that the above statement refers Centkal.
— a country to which afterwards, for a series of years, no Hungary,
inconsiderable interest, in connection with the Society's labours,
will be found to attach.

About three years before the period at which we are now Efforts of

•^ ^ .the Rev.

arrived, viz. in 1837, Hungary and Transylvania became Mr. Wim-
accessible, in a way they had not been before, to the operations ™^'^*
of the British and Foreign Bible Society. At that date a
Protestant Clergyman, the Rev. Mr. Wimmer, was introduced
to the notice of Dr. Pinkerton and the Society, as anxious for
the distribution of the Sacred Scriptures among his country-
men, and willing to devote himself to the work. His efforts,
begun at first on a small scale, soon swelled to a considerable
magnitude, with pleasing indications of a Divine blessing. By
mean's of an intimate acquaintance with the people and their
manners, as well as the different languages spoken among
them, and more particularly with the laws of the country, he
was enabled to accomplish the publication of the Sacred
Scriptures in the country itself. The report for 1842, con-
tains an outline of what this zealous friend had been enabled
to accomplish up to that period. In the establishment of Mr.
Reichard, at Giins, several editions of the whole Bible, and
of the New Testament with and without the Psalms, had
been printed for the use of the Protestants, in the German,
Hungarian, and Bohemian languages, in all, 54,500 copies,
the greater part of which had been distributed, with the
happiest results. No obstacle or interruption had occurred ;
and so favourable were the laws for the dissemination of the
Scriptures among the Protestants, that no interruption was
anticipated. The sum of 11,937 florins 5 xr. had been received
for copies sold, and about 8000 florins were still outstanding.
The blessing which the Lord had been pleased to vouchsafe to
the distribution of His holy word was incalculable. It was ^
not only that an abundant seed had been sown on this
portion of the Lord's field, which had long been left desolate.

1842.

438 HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE, but there was good reason to assert that the seed thus scattered

Chap!" III. abroad was beginning to spring up and to promise good fruit."

1829-54. The Protestant population, especially in Hungary and Tran-

Sect. I. sylvania, computed at 4,000,000, manifested, in many places,

Central. ^^ anxious desire to obtain the bread of life. Notwithstanding

Hungary, the poverty of the people, which in some districts could

scarcely be conceived, they were ready to devote their last

kreutzer to the purchase of the sacred treasure, as was evident

from the comparatively large sum which was realized, and the

prices at which the Scriptures were sold.

The work of distribution was greatly facilitated and extended
by means of correspondents, consisting of more than 200
Protestant clergymen.
Issues of The whole of the Hungarian Bible was stereotyped. A

and^^oh^- great demand soon arose for this edition. The first impres-
miau sion from the plates was completed by an edition of 5000

'. copies, all of which were bespoken. An edition of the Bohemian
Bible, consisting of 5000 copies, and an edition of the Bohemian
Testament and Psalms to the same extent, were also com-
pleted, and in part put into circulation ; besides which, 3000
German Testaments and Psalms were purchased.

At that time there were in the press 5000 German, 5000
Hungarian, and 5000 Bohemian New Testaments, in pocket
size, for distribution among the Protestant troops. These
various works were undertaken, and completed in the course
of twelve months. The Lord indeed vouchsafed His gracious
assistance thus far ; and whatever was done towards the great
cause of supplying the Protestants in Hungary and Transyl-
vania with the word of God, was done in conformity with the
laws of the land.

In cases of necessity, the prisons, hospitals, schools, im-
poverished congregations, and the poor, were furnished with
copies of the Sacred Scriptures gratis ; and the results of these
distributions were often very encouraging. Thousands and
thousands lifted up their hands in gratitude to the Lord for the
precious boon. Even the higher classes, to whom the truths
of the Gospel had become strange, Avere now beginning to speak
with reverence of the Bible ; and it is clear, from imdeniable
proofs, that they were ancAV impressed with a sense of the

BRITISH AND FOEEIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 439

inestimable treasure possessed by Christendom in tlie Scrip- EUROPE,
tures. Cha^III.

For several following years the labours of Mr. Wimmer 1829-54.
continued to be indefatigable, uninterrupted, and attended with Sect. I.
large success. His correspondence, which was very copious, Central.
was of the most interesting description; now detailing the Hungary,
difficulties he had to encounter, at another time reporting ^^^^'
numerous encouraging facts. Seldom has individual exertion
developed itself in a more striking manner, for he had been
favoured with but little direct assistance in his work. As an
evidence of the energetic manner in which that work was con-
ducted, it may be sufficient to state, that, on an average, from
10,000 to 12,000 copies were, from year to year, put into
circulation by him, through the medium of the Protestant
Pastors, amongst congregations, schools, prisons, and, to a large
extent, among the troops.

The following may be taken as a specimen of his correspon-
dence: it relates to the year 1843 : —

"And here I cannot but express my g-reat satisfaction in being able to Incidents
report the g-reat progress made in disseminating- the New Testament ^Ij^^*^
among the troops. Quietly and cautiously, but confidently and in faith, labours
I have prosecuted this portion of my labour, and have been greatly en-
couraged by the expressions of gratitude and dehght which have reached
me from various quarters, when the poor Protestant soldiers, who, for
years together, have not enjoyed the privilege of their religious services
— being stationed in Roman Catholic provinces, or even in the Papal
States — have been, at length, supplied with that invaluable substitute — a
copy of the word of God. The small edition of the New Testament has
also proved a great boon to many poor travelHng mechanics ; and the
importance of it has been acknowledged by many, who, as in the Gospel,
have been found in the streets and lanes, or even in the highwa^^s and
hedges."

Mr. Wimmer thus describes a short excursion which he
made, in the course of the summer, among the Carpathian
Mountains : —

" I have completed my journey to a portion of the Carpathian Moun- Visit to tlie
tains. I was enabled to effect a great deal there for the circulation of ^^''pathiau
the Bohemian Scriptures, and my efforts have been attended with good
results. I found the people long-ing after the word of God. I was
enabled to convince the clergy of the futility of their representations
that the people did not care for the Scriptures. With uplifted liands
did these i^oor people,— whose poverty is in reality beyond concei)tion, —

440

HISTORY OF THE

Chap. Ill
1829-54.

Sect. I.
Central.

Hungary,
1844.

EUEOPE. call down blessings upon the heads of then- benefactors. I am sorry
that I was unable to j^enetrate farther among the mountams, in the
midst of which hundreds of thousands of Protestants are famishing.
How extremely beneficial would it be, were I able to midertake journeys
more frequently, for the purpose of comforting a people, w^ho are plunged
in both temporal and spiiitual misery. I have akeady forwarded fresh
supplies of the Scriptures to them, and trust that the cause will now
progress better in the above distiicts. I visited in all about twenty-six
parishes."

He then alludes to another openmg for usefulness which had
presented itself: —

" A new door is being opened for our operations in the prisons. A
distinguished personage has written to me, stating* that there are in the
county jjrisons 1800 prisoners ; and, besides these, about 6000 criminals,
who, in consequence of the want of prison-room, are allowed to be at
large on bail, but who are to surrender to their trial, the fonner 1800

Second
visit to the
Carpathian
Mountains.

The Scrip-
tures
sought
amid ex-
treme
poverty.

In the autumn of the year he made another visit to the
Carpathian district : he found a very striking readiness on the
part of the poor to receive the Bible.

" I cannot conceal from the Committee the gratifying information, that
for some time past a movement has been gradually taking- place in this
country, and the dead bones are beginning to manifest hfe. Our labours
have not been in vain in the Lord." .....

" In all my journeyiugs I found the common people truly anxious
to obtain the Sacred Volume ; and though certain ministers seek to pre-
judice them (and their suspicions are easily aroused) against Bibles in
w^hich the Apocryi^hal books are wanting, yet by degTees their eyes are
opened, and they cheerfull}^ stretch out their hands to receive the sacred
boon. The poorest congregations may be considered as the most anxious
to obtain the proflered blessing. And truly some of the congregations
here alluded to are poor in the extreme. Since the reduction made in the
price of the Bohemian Bible, the people appear increasing-ly desirous to
obtain copies, and the sale is considerable ; but though it may seem
scarcely credible, many, very many, are unable to pay even the reduced
price, and how little may suffice to keep soul and body together may be
learned here. The shepherd, located durmg the summer in the mountains,
hves on a poor kind of oaten bread scarcely eatable, to which is added the
whey left from making cheese. His minister, as poor as himself, is seldom
so fortunate as to be able to collect his income within several years, though
it amounts often to no more than £3 or £4 j^early. Yet it is precisely
among these poor people that genuine piety and a warm adherence to the
faith of their forefathers, is to be found. In one seniority 50U Bibles and
500 Testaments have again been applied for.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 441

" I am also obliged to you for the grant of vScriptures for Stuhl- EUROPE,
weissenburg. "WTiat has been fonvarded to Milkolz is far too little. —

Nearly 800 Protestant families have lost their all by the fire there, and ^iq^' lY'

the miseiy among them is extreme. I trust, therefore, that you will not

find fault with me, if, at the earnest request of the authorities there, I Sect. I.
send a further supply of 100 Hungarian Bibles and 50 Hungarian New entral.
Testaments. The wretchedness which now exists in Milkolz is propor- Hungary,
tionably much greater than that which resulted from the fire in Ham- 1848.
burgh. The Protestants there have lost 11 buildings, comprehending
churches, schools, and their ministers' houses. In the former place the
the church, which had just been completed, together with the vicarage and
the schools, fell a prey to the flames."

The political convulsions of 1848, found Mr. Wimmer in Hunga-

tlie midst of his numerous and wide-spread labours, and lution of'

suddenly put a stop to the whole. Implicated more or l"^^-

less, or supposed to be so, in the struffsles which then arose, ^^^' ^'™-
^ f J^ ^ ' f'o ' mer au

he was driven from his country, and has ever since been an exile,
exile in other lands.

In one of his last official letters, written in the begimiing of
1848, he takes the following general review of his labours
during the ten years that the Society enjoyed the benefit of
his active agency, and in the course of which he dispersed in
the whole about 120,000 copies. Something may be seen of
the spirit of the writer in the following extract : —

" Thus, through the providence of the Lord, we have ad-
vanced another step forward. Hitherto the Psalms were of Biblical
inaccessible to the Wends ; but now a new source of spiritual pperations
edification is opened to this neglected little tribe ; and may the gary.
Lord vouchsafe His blessing to our endeavours in their behalf!
I am far from wishing to relax in my exertions for promoting
the circulation of the Holy Scriptures ; on the contrary, all
my views are directed to concentrate these exertions in behalf
of the Protestant Church. The dissemination of the Holy
Scriptures in the tongues and languages of every nation, is the
seal of grace which the Lord has imprinted upon His Church,
and by which He has acknowledged its legitimacy. The
earliest Church bore the seal of purity. The pollutions of
Popery, both in the East and the West, caused the word of
God to be veiled, and to this day it stands up for its traditions
in opposition to the revealed Scriptiu'es. The Protestant
Church rests upon the word of God ; and, in these troublous

442

HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE.

Chap. III.
1829-54.

Sect. I.
Central.

Hungary.
1848.

Sphere and
extent of
operations.

Germany.

The "Holy
Coat "
agitation
at Treves.
1«44.

times, upon its dissemination as the sole means of producing its
saving fruits. It is, and remains immoveable, unconquerable,
and will ever be so !

" We have circulated the Holy Scriptures among the fol-
lowing different nations belonging to the Austrian monarchy :
namely, among Protestant Germans, chiefly of the Augsburg
confession, whose numbers are about 1,500,000, and are
scattered throughout Austria, Styria, Carinthia, Bohemia, and
Hungary ; among Protestant Bohemians and Sclaves, who
may be computed at nearly 800,000, residing in Bohemia,
Moravia, the districts of the Carpathians, and in various parts
of Hungary ; (those who are found in Bohemia and Moravia
belong chiefly to the Helvetian, and those in Hungary to the
Augsburg confession :) — further, among Protestant Hungarians
in Hungary and Transylvania, whose numbers may be rated
at about 2,500,000, four-fifths being of the Helvetian, and one-
fifth of the Augsburg confession : all these are in possession
of the whole Bible, and of copies of the New Testament and
Psalms, in various editions. For the use of the Wends, an
edition of the New Testament and Psalms has just been com-
pleted ,• and within the last ten years, thirteen editions of the
Bible, and about twenty-five editions of the New Testament,
have been printed here. There are still the Poles to be con-
sidered, a numerous and Protestant people, for whose benefit
little has hitherto been done. "

The work of the Society in Hungary, in consequence of the
political disturbances, was, in 1848, almost entirely suspended :
it was renewed, however, but only for a short time, as will
afterwards appear.

While the Society's devoted Agent, Dr. Pinkerton, was, from
year to year, patiently pursuing his labours, spreading the
Scriptures through the various provinces of Germany, and
thus quietly diftusing the most effective antidote to the pre-
vailing errors of the day ; a new commotion appeared on the
face of the waters ; a reforming party sprang up in the heart
of the Romish Church itself, and spread throughout Germany
with extraordinary rapidity. The immediate cause of this
movement was the exhibition of the so-called ' Holy Coat ' at
Treves, to which upwards of half a million of Roman Catholics

BRITISH AXD FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 443

went in pilgrimage. How melancholy and liumbling, in a EUROPE.
Christian land, to hear the ignorant, superstitious multitudes ^ ""jj.
singing the praises of this old rag, and crying out, ' Holy 1829-54.
Coat ! pray for us !' g^~ j

Germany seemed stunned with this display of idolatry. Central.
which continued for six weeks, until the Catholic priest, Germany.
Johannes Rouge, in a letter to the Bishop of Treves, pubKshed ^'^^^•
his remarkable protest against it. This manifesto was responded
to by thousands in the Roman Catholic Church ; and from that johamies
day the newspapers were filled with the details of this move- Eonge.
ment; and a midtitude of pamphlets appeared against the
errors of popery, loudly callmg for reform. The corrupt
state of the Church of Rome was unreservedly held up to the
view of all classes in Gemiany, and the Bible appealed to as
the only standard of religious truth : about thirty cono-recrations Secessions
renoiuiced popery, and were organized m ditierent parts oi the Popery.
country, mider the name of German Apostolical Catholics. To
this movement among the Roman Catholics of Germany the
attention of the Society was early drawn, and Dr. Pinkerton
was requested to put himself in communication with the leaders
of the party, with the view of impressing on them the im-
portance of a free distribution of the Scriptures among their
people, and of offering them every facility m effecting it. To this
object. Dr. Pinkerton also principally devoted his summer tour.

For this purpose he first visited five of the German Catholic
Congregations in his neighbourhood ; namely, those of Offen-
bach, Wiesbaden, Kreutznach, Worms, and Darmstadt ; at all
which places he met with a welcome reception, and found the
Elders willing to accept of his help to supply their members with
the Script vu-es. They all decided to use the Lutheran version
in preference to any other.

It was not long, however, before this extraordinary movement intimate
mifolded its true character ; and, though interesting in some character
respects, yet m many more it was most disappointing, and, secessions,
taken as a whole, very unsatisfactory; for most of the
leaders of the movement sufficiently showed, by their writings
and speeches, that it was not merely emancipation from papal
superstitions and tyranny-, but emancipation from Chi'istiauity
itself, which they were aiming at.

444

HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE

Chap. Ill
18-29-54.

Sect. I.
Central.

Germany.
1847.

Supply of
Scriptures
iu Hotels.

Wiesbaden.

Baden-
Baden.

About tliis time Dr. Pinkerton became actively engaged in
carrying out another measure, which had been pressed on the
attention of the Society, namely, the supplying of Hotels at
the principal watering-places near the Rhine, the landlords of
which should manifest a willingness to place in their several
apartments copies of the New Testament and Psalms, in
German and French, an edition of which had been prepared
for the purpose. The importance of this measure will be the
more appreciated, when it is remembered how many travellers
on the Continent never have an opportunity of either seeing or
reading a copy of the sacred volume.

The subject is thus alluded to in Dr. Pinkerton's report for
the year : —

" I have made a beg-iniiing with supplying- the hotels of the neighbour-
ing' watering-places. It was an arduous task, on which I spent two days,
with several persons to assist me ; for I deemed it requisite not merely to
deliver the copies to the landlords of the hotels, but to number each copy
myself, and to see it placed in the sleeping-room whose number it bore.
In general the copies were well received by the inmates, though some of
them seemed at a loss to account for the measure, and found difficulty in
understanding its simplicity and benevolence. In Homburg we deposited
200 copies, and in Wiesbaden 300; and the Rev. Mr. Lanfear, who ren-
dered me his efficient assistance, afterwards took a coach at his own ex-
pense, and 100 copies with him, to Schwalbach, where he deposited sixty-
eight copies in the hotels there, and twelve copies in that at Schlangenbad.
From the proprietors of the hotels we have taken receipts for the copies
entrusted to their care, and entreated them to see that the copies were
preserved in the rooms, and not carried away by travellers. Notwith-
standing all these precautions, I fear it will be impossible to prevent some
of them being thus taken, but even this may be overruled for good. In
Baden, the proprietor of the ' Hotel de Russie ' showed me a copy of an
octavo French Testament, wdiich had been carried away from the ' Hotel
de Trois Rois' in Basle by some traveller, and then left in a room of the
' Hotel de Russie ' in Baden : ' but,' said he, ' I used frequently to read in
it myself last winter.' So that we must not withhold our hand from this
undertaking, on account of abuses that may occur, but trust that God in
His providence will watch over, and render useful, the copies of His ow^n
word wliich we thus deposit, or rather cast upon the highivays of the
1007-ldy

Once more —

" In Baden-Baden I spent four days in depositing 300 copies of the
Scrijitures in eight of the principal hotels. Several of the innkeepers
being Roman Cathohcs, I had many prejudices to encounter; and yet,

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 445

throug-h Divine help, I was enabled to overcome them, and with my own EUROPE.
hands, and the aid of the innkeepers and waiters, to see all the 300 ""ttt

sleeping'-rooms supplied with the precious volume. I took a receipt from 1829-54.'
the landlord of each hotel for the number of copies placed in it. On —

several occasions the strang-ers manifested great satisfaction with the ^ect. 1.

measure ; and the day after the distribution, Dr. Muhl, the pubhsher of

a newspaper, came to me, and beg-g-ed for a supply of copies for sale, for Germany,
that six or seven persons had been with him that morning-, wishing- to ISA8.
buy them. I informed him that the Rev, Mr. Hopper, the Eng-Hsh
chaplain, had eng-aged to take charge of a depot, from which all who
wished could be supplied. I have accordinglj' got 157 copies in Ger-
man, French, English, and Russ, put up, that will be sent off to-morrow
to Manheim, and from thence be forwarded by the railway to Baden. Let
us pray that these weak attempts to recommend the word of Truth to the
many thousands that annually visit this inart of gambhng and dissipation
may not be in vain in the Lord."

The measure of supplying apartments in hotels wath copies
of the Scriptures, has since been carried out in other parts of
the Continent, as it has also been pursued to some extent in
our own country.

The storm of political convulsion which, in the beginning of Conti-
the year 1848, passed over the face of Europe, was not without °oi°\fo^of
its effect on the sphere of Biblical labour occupied by Dr. 1848.
Pinkerton. The distributions made under his superintendence
had now amounted to above 900,000 copies. These had gone
forth faithful witnesses to the truth, against those numerous
forms of grosser or more subtle error which had long striven
for the mastery in the Fatherland of the Reformation. This
distribution was irrespective of what had been accomplished,
at the same time, by numerous Bible Societies in Germany,
that had been labouring in the same department of Christian
effort. It is true, these Societies had chiefly confined them-
selves to the Protestant parts of the population. To the Freer scope
Roman Catholics, generally, little access had been gained, tm-aidrcu-
But the commotions by which society on the Continent was lation.
now stirred up, even from its very depths, led to new openings,
and to a freer field of Biblical labour in Germany, as well as
elsewhere. With joy the Society hailed these openings, and
with cheerfulness they hastened forward to cultivate the field !

The employment of Colporteurs, which had, at one time,
been found impracticable, now became an important feature in

446

HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE.

ClIAP. III.
1829-54.

Sect. I.
Central.

Germany,
1850.

Colportage
recom-
menced in
Germany.

Its rapid
success.

Vigorous
action of
the Berlin
Society,
and of the
German
Home
Mission.

the proceedings of Dr. Pinkerton. He had indeed, of late,
partially commenced this method of circulating the Scriptures,
but his correspondence for one or two preceding years had
shown that there were difficulties connected with this work in
Germany, such as did not exist in either England, Belgium, or
France, and which could be but little understood in this coun-
try ; and, that so strongly were the authorities opposed to it,
that the limited Colportage issuing from the Bible Society had
been carried on under the special superintendence of the paro-
chial clergy, and had been restricted to Protestants, the Roman
Catholics not being included in it. Thus it was restricted, for
instance, in Prussia, Hanover, and other countries. But the
political changes above referred to swept away many of these
hindrances, and gave enlarged liberty of action ; and in conse-
quence of the unexpected and surprising openings thus offering
themselves. Dr. Pinkerton received authority to engage a
much larger number of these valuable fellow-labourers. The
result of this extended experiment was the sale in the first
year of 26,699 copies of the Scriptures, by fifteen Colporteurs,
thus affording ample and pleasing encouragement for the pro-
secution of these efforts, which have ever since been con-
tinued in Germany on a very liberal scale.

It appears, from Dr. Pinkerton's report for 1850, that the
countries in which these Colporteurs were chiefly employed,
were those in which the least had been attempted in the distri-
bution of the Scriptures, from want of individual co-operation.
Two circumstances contributed at this time to favour this mode
of extending Bible circulation in Germany. The one ^Yas, the
removal, by the Prussian government, of all the legal hindrances
that stood in the way of Colportage, in consequence of which
the Parent Society at Berlin called upon all its ninety Auxi-
liaries to send forth Colporteurs into their respective fields of
labour ; and the other was, the establishment of a Home
Mission, with numerous branches in every part of Protestant
Germany, one of whose principal objects was the circulation of
the Scriptures. As the result of these increased facilities, a
still further impulse was given to the work of Colportage ; so
that the numbers sold by Dr. Pinkerton's Colporteurs in
1850 amounted to 32,157, making the sale by these zealous

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 447

labourers, in three years, 99,282 copies. In connection with EUROPE,
the sales of the year, the following interesting facts are men- chak^IH.
tionecl. Colporteur Genonville sold 1016 copies, during the 1829-54.
season, at Baden Baden, among the visitors, and many of the Sect. I.
first nobility purchased of him copies in French, Russian, Central.
English, and German. Colporteur Wick also was very Germany,
active in the Grand Duchy of Weimar, where he sold
2851 copies in one year. Hopfinger, in Baden, in eleven
months, disposed of 3370 copies, of which 1941 were
purchased by Roman Catholics : Ritter, in the states of Hesse LocalitJes
Cassel, sold 3008 ; and Rees sold to the Roman Catholics in ° ^°^ ^^^"
the districts around Augsburg, 1917 copies, and 416 to
Protestants.

Colporteurs were now employed by many of the Prussian
Bible Societies. The Berg Bible Society at Elberfeld reports a
distribution in one year of 3100 copies by three Colporteurs. The
Buchwald Bible Society engaged three Colporteurs in Upper
Silesia, and the venerable President, the Countess of Reden,
speaks of their having received great encouragement. The
Saxon Bible Society sent out two Colporteurs. The Basle
and other Bible Societies also took part in the same work.

It is true these labourers had, in following years, to encounter
various difficulties and discouragements, which the subsequent
reports of Dr. Pinkerton explain ; but, on the whole, their
success has been great, and the year of Jubilee witnessed the
system in continued and growing operation in Germany.

For innumerable instances of the beneficial effects resulting
from the labours of the Colporteurs in Germany, as well as for
much valuable information respecting the extent and progress
of the work, it is necessary, as in the case of France, to refer
the reader to the Society's Reports and Monthly Extracts. The
correspondence is too voluminous to allow even of selections
being made with advantage.

The total issues of Dr. Pinkerton, from the period of his
taking charge of the d^pot at Frankfort, 1830, to the termina-
tion of the Jubilee year, amounted to 1,342,115 copies.

It has been already stated that the Hungarian Pastor, the ProceeJ-
Rev. Mr. Wimmer, who, for a period of twelve years Avas jTyj '"
zealously engaged in the distribution of the Scriptures, had

448 HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE, been compelled to quit his native land in consequence of
ChapTiii. th^ disastrous changes which had occurred there. At the
1829-54. commencement of the revolution he visited this country, in
Sect. I. company with Dr. Pinkerton, and was then full of the best
Central. j^Qpeg regarding the work. He received, on that occasion,
Hungary, authority to make large preparations for printing the
'^ ■ Scriptures, and also for employing Colporteurs for their
distribution. In various parts of the Austrian dominions,
and even in Vienna itself, depots were to have been esta-
blished, and Colporteurs engaged ; but before these arrange-
ments could be completed, he, on whom they chiefly devolved,
became a fugitive, carrying, however, with him this consola-
tion, that he had been the instrument of diffusing no less than
137,906 copies of the Scriptures among his countrymen.

Yet although the war in Hungary, as already stated, greatly
interrupted the labours of the Society in that and the sur-
rounding provinces, a few humble and courageous Colporteurs,
even during that stormy period, ventured forth with the vo-
lume of consolation and mercy in their hands, and succeeded
in keeping up a small sale among the people ; but the work at
Operations large, promising as it heretofore had been, was necessarily sus-
re-com- pended. When, however, peace was restored, an Agent of the
Society was permitted to visit Hungary, for the purpose of in-
quiring after the Society's property there, and of taking such
measures as the exigencies of the case seemed to demand. He
found that a great eagerness to obtain the Scriptures existed,
5000 copies having been issued in the short period since the
war had terminated.

A second extensive journey was made by the same Agent,
in the hope that the Society's operations might be resumed
and extended among the Protestants in the Austrian empire.
A strong desire to obtain the Scriptures was evinced in many
places, and much encouragement given by many respectable
and well-informed persons, who thought it most desirable that
something should be done for the supply of the Scriptures to
the multitudes now perishing for lack of knowledge. After
mature consideration, the Society resolved to move forwards.
The Agent who had been selected for the above important
mission was Mr. Edward Millard, who had had some experience

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 449

in the Society's service at Cologne, where he had been em-
plojed under tlie superintendence of Mr. W. Tiddy. To him

EUROPE.
Chap. III.

the superintendence of these renewed operations was entrusted. I829I54.

The difficulties thrown in his way did not so discourage him, q ~ i

but that he went forth inspired by the hope that the Protes- Central.

tants in Austria would be allowed to have free access to the Austria

records of salvation, the demand for which was considerablv ^nd

'' Hungary,
mcreasnig. 1850.

This hope, however, was destined to be but of short dura-
tion. It was in October 1850, that Mr. E. Millard was com-
missioned as an Agent to superintend the renewal of the
Society's work in Austria and Plungary. No sooner had he
reached Vienna, than he put himself in communication with
the proper authorities, and sought permission to begin the busi-
ness of distribution. An objection was raised by the govern-
ment officials to his personal effi^rts to circulate the Scriptures ;
but they allowed him to avail himself of the book trade and
other legitimate channels.

With this licence, Mr. Millard at once proceeded to print
several editions in the German, Bohemian, and Hungarian
languages; and his efforts were crowned with such success,
that, during the first six months of his residence, he dispersed
6965 volumes.

Encouraged by such a result, he undertook still larger im-
pressions ; and their rapid absorption, as they issued from
the press, further stimulated his ardour to go forward. The
consequence was, that at the time of the suspension of his
labours, 25,000 copies were lying unfinished, independent of
36,328 volumes circulated within eighteen months.

The eagerness with which these copies were purchased is
thus stated in one of his letters : — ■

" Multitudes are now in possession of the Sacred Scriptures, who, only
a short while ag'o,_ scarcely knew, even nominally, that God has spoken
in time past unto the Fathers by the prophets, and in these last days imto
us by His Son. The demand for the Scriptures which has been awakened,
has exceeded the expectation of the most sanguine, and it is but just to
acknowledge, that in manj' of the poorest parts of the country the people
have most promptly and cheerfully, even to the confusion of many Pro-
testants in easier circumstances— perhaps even among- us -shown their
willingness, according to their power, yea, and beyond their jwwer, to
avail themselves of the opportunity afforded tliem of obtaining the Holy
G G

450

HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE.

Chap. III.
1829-54.

Sect. I.
Cektral

Austria

and

Hungary.

I80O.

Inter-
ference of
the Aus-
trian Go-
vernment.

Scriptures ; in many instances, when the stock of books was inadequate
for a time to meet the demand, I have been compelled to take payment
beforehand ; such has been tlie desire to ensure the possession of the Scrip-
tures at the earliest opportunity. In some parts of the extensive field,
the desire for the Scriptures is described as a ' rage/ a ' famishing ;' in
one instance a Church-meeting was held, and it was resolved to purchase
as many Bibles as there were persons belonging to the community ; and
throughout the country, the little that has been done — for httle it is, after
all, in comparison with the real wants and the expressed desires of the
people— seems but to have awakened a more lively craving after the Scrip-
tures of truth. There are now hundreds — indeed, it may be said without
any exaggeration, thousands of Protestants thirsting after the records of
salvation, and after much trouble and labour connected with the prepara-
tion of different editions, a considerable stock of Scriptures is lying ready
to be sent out to them."

Whilst these wide openings were thus presenting themselves,
the opposition of the authorities was awakened, and the books
of the Society's Agent were denounced from the pulpit by
several priests. Shortly after this the government interfered ;
and the depots at Giins, Pesth, and Vienna, were closed by
the police. Nothing daunted by these proceedings, Mr. Millard
waited upon the Earl of Westmoreland, the English Ambas-
sador at the court of Vienna, and sought to enlist his good
offices to guard the property of the Society. With a view to
strengthen the case, it appeared advisable to the Committee, to
appoint a Deputation to wait upon Her Majesty's Secretary of
State for Foreign Affairs. Lord Malmesbury received the
Deputation with marked courtesy, and expressed his willing-
ness to do all that his office would allow, and to support the
claim for indemnity urged by the Society for the loss of pro-
perty. This demand the Austrian government stedfastly re-
fused, but they consented to resign the depots, with all their
contents, provided the books were immediately withdrawn
from the country.

This requisition of the Austrian Government to have all
the Scriptures in the depots at Giins, Pesth, and Vienna, sent
out of the country, was rigorously enforced. Two hundred
and four bales, and 125 cases, containing, either bound or in
sheets, 58,087 copies of Bibles and Testaments, were, under
the charge of a detachment of gens d'armes, conveyed beyond
the frontiers of the Austrian territory, amidst the unavailing

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 451

tears and sighs of tens of thousands of the people, waitmg for, EUROPE,
and anxious to possess the precious volumes, of which they were chap~III
so mercilessly bereft. Strange infatuation, surely, on the part 1829-54.
of the rulers, and involving what a fearful responsibility ! Sj,^_ j^

The books were received at Breslau by the Society's Agent, Central.
Mr. Millard, who, under the direction of the Committee, had Germany,
removed thither for the purpose. ^^^^'

Thus was the Society's work in the Austrian dominions
suspended, and that suspension still remains.

Mr. Millard, having been compelled to leave Austria, and Settlement
having, by the appointment of the Society, settled down for a Millard as
season at Breslau, immediately availed himself of such oppor- ^^^'j* ^'
tunities as presented themselves in those parts, of resuming his
M'ork. A depot was established and opened ; one or two Col-
porteurs were sent out ; and, in the course of three months, his
issues exceeded 5000 copies; and by March 1854, his issues
amounted to 29,580 copies, — a very large and encouraging
number, especially taking into account the peculiar circum-
stances under which he was called to enter upon and cultivate
that not very promising field of labour. He had, by this time,
five Colporteurs in the field. Great opposition was raised
against the work, both by Protestants and Roman Catholics,
especially in consequence of the absence of the Apocrypha.
When to this were added the difficulties arising from the igno-
rance, the evil habits, and the poverty of the people, the suc-
cess which crowned these his first efforts was all the more re-
markable.*

In commemoration of the Society's year of Jubilee, Mr.
Millard's attention was directed to the supply of such educa-
tional, eleemosynary, and other Institutions, as could not be
reached in the ordinary way. One hundred and twenty-five
difi'erent establishments, in Posen and Silesia, including five
seminaries, ninety prisons, thirty hospitals, almshouses, &c.,
were, by the bounty of the Society, supplied with 3068 Bibles
and Testaments for the free use of the inmates.

Belgium. — The Agency of Dr. Pinkerton, at its commence- Belgian
ment, extended, as we have seen, over the whole central part of ^S^^^J

* The seat of this Agency has since been removed to Berlin, where the
work has opened out to a very wide extent.
G G 2

452

HISTORY or THE

EUROPE.

Chap. Ill,
1829-54.

Sect. I.
Central.

Belgium.
1834.

Oricrin
of Mr.

Tiddy's

successful

pfForts.

Europe, including not only Germany, but also Belgium, Holland,
Switzerland, and the north of Italy. After a time, under the
influence of circumstances, as they providentially arose, rather
than as the result of any determinate and pre-arranged plan,
other Agencies sprang up within the sphere of Dr. Pinkerton's
operations, which gradually extended themselves, and assumed
a character of considerable interest.

The most important of these was instituted in Belgium. It
afterwards extended to Holland and parts of Germany, and
was, during the whole of the remainder of the period now re-
viewed, under the superintendence of Mr. W. Pascoe Tiddy.

Mr. Tiddy is first alluded to, in the Society's Reports, in
connection wdth a visit paid to Belgium, in 183 i, by the Rev.
Mr. Cordes, of Geneva.

Dr. Pinkerton had, in the preceding year, concerted mea-
sures with the friends of the Society at Brussels, Liege, and
other places, which led to an application for 1400 copies of
the Scriptures ; he could not, however, avoid feeling much
discouraged by the general indifference which prevailed. Mr.
Cordes met with a somewhat larger measure of success. He
witnessed the establishment of small Societies at Brussels, An-
twerp, and Ghent. The English partner of a commercial
house subscribed liberally for English and Flemish Sacred
Scriptures, to be placed among the workpeople employed in
the establishment, and several innkeepers also cheerfully con-
sented to place the Scriptures in their apartments. In conse-
quence of these and other similar measures, considerable sup-
plies were called for. But the most encouraging circumstance
was the following : — In a town where Mr. Cordes was unable
to effect any thing, Mr. Tiddy, who had been sent out as their
Agent by a house of business in the west of England— o*ie
Avho felt the real value of the Bible — was entrusted wath a
few copies of the Flemish New Testament for distribution.
Some he gave away, and these were gratefully received ;
others he tried to sell. The result was singularly gratifying ;
between two and three hundred copies were bought, and the
demand thus unexpectedly made, so exhausted the stock on
hand, that steps were required to be immediately taken for
printing a new edition.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 453

In the following year, 1835, Mr. Tiddy, received from EUROPE,
the British and Foreign Bible Society an appointment as their ~
Agent for Belgium. In the first twelve months, he succeeded 1829-54.*
in selling nearly 3000 volumes. Before another year was closed, ^^~ j
his sales had extended to 11,218 copies. These sales were Central,
chiefly effected by means of Colporteurs, of whose services Belgium.
Mr. Tiddy continued largely to avail himself throughout the ^^^^•
whole period of his Agency. The scarcity of Bibles in that
country may be judged of from the fact, that formerly a long A^ent"f ^*^
journey had to be made, and a large price paid, in order to theSociety.
obtain a single copy, and this probably would then be the only
one in a village or small town. The Agent was shown a Bible,
which ten or twelve persons in the village had subscribed for
together, and had sent one of their number into Holland to
buy it, where it cost forty-two francs.* The subjoined history
is given of a solitary Bible in another village : —

'' At the time now referred to, there was but one Bible in the whole vil-
lag-e, for Bibles were not then to be had in this country ; and any person
who wanted one was oblig-ed to go into Holland to buy it, where Bibles
were excessively dear. This Bible excited the rage of the priests ; for it
was known to them that it existed, but they could never find it, and C^uartled
many a search was made for it throug-hout the whole village. The per- single
sons to whom it belonged used to hide it away by day ; and, by night, go Bible,
into the wood with it, and there hang a lantern up to a tree and read it.
At other times they would agree to meet in some old burrow, or other
secret place, for the same purpose. They sang, also, the Psalms of David
to song tunes, to deceive those who might overhear them at any time.
One day, when the men were absent at their work, and the women gone
to the next market-town, the priests, who were always on the watch to
see when the house was left without any one but the child, or some young
person, came to the spot, accompanied by the police. They made a
regular search, but, like all others up to that moment, in vain, and the
priests and police turned to go to their houses : but, on the way back, one
of the policemen said, ' I am sure, if we go back we shall find the
Bible.' The least possibility of success was enough to rouse the less zeal-
ous of them, and they hastened back ; for the reasons which the pohceman
gave were so excellent, that no one objected. He said : ' I observed, that
in that house the child was in the cradle, and, whether it was asleep or
awake, the girl sitting by it continually rocked it.' Amved at the house,
they went direct to the cradle, took up the child, turned out the cradle,
and found the Bible, The little girl who watched the cradle was only ten

* Tliis Bible was afterwards presented to the Society'sXibrary.

454

HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE.

Chap. III.
1829-54.

Sect. I.
Central

Belgium.
1837.

Colpor-
teurs.

Their early
difficulties
and trials.

years old ; and when she saw them approach the cradle, she burst into
tears. They rejoiced over their success, and walked away in triumph.
The poor men, on their way homeward from their work in the evening-,
learned the painful news ; and so greatly were they afflicted, that they all
of them could not help crying ; and they said they would rather that they
had heard that their houses and all their goods were burnt to the ground,
than that their Bible should have been taken from them. They tried to
get it again, but this was impossible. The men had left the little girl
in charge of their greatest treasure, with strict orders, that if ever any one
entered, she was not to leave the cradle, but constantly to rock it ; which
had, up to this unfortunate day, succeeded in deceiving the enemy. They
used to put the Bible in the bottom of the cradle ; on the book, a piece of
wood suited to the cradle ; and then, on the wood, the straw, and what-
ever the child lay on."

How happy the cliange ! when instead of one Bible for a v^^hole
village — and that in danger of being violently abstracted — the
Bible has become accessible to every villager, and that, too, at
less than a tenth part of the price once paid for it.

The work of circulating the Scriptures in Belgium, soon
assumed an unlooked-for extent and importance. The issues
in 1837 amounted to 20,548 volumes. Of this number, 17,129
were disposed of by the Colporteurs.

This valuable class of Agents, notwithstanding their sales
were carried on under sanction of the laws of the country,
had to encounter an opposition similar to that which at times
was experienced in France, only attended in many instances
with more of violence and outrage. They were reproached,
insulted, threatened ; the mob was instigated to injure them ;
their books were stolen, or forcibly taken away, and some torn
to pieces, or burnt before their eyes ; yet they persevered in
their peaceful, self-denying labours ; through evil and through
good report they held on their way, oft-times indebted for their
personal safety to the presence and interference of the civil,
sometimes of the military authorities. The following may be
taken as a specimen of what the Colporteurs had to encounter:

'' Poor Waersegers very narrowly escaped with his life last M^eek atT .

Six hundred persons surrounded him in the market, upset his books, and
threw down those who had the courage to buy ; and at last they set two
books on fire, stuck to a pole ; but finding that they would not burn fast
enough, they went and dipped them in turpentine. The police refused
to -do their duty. A few gens d'armes rescued Waersegers. Some officers of
a horse regiment were so disgusted at the conduct of the people, that they

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 455

bought publicly the Bible of the Colporteur, and told the gens d'annes EUROPE.
only to request their aid, and they would call out the troop. Two or three —

persons were very ill treated ; one poor man especially, who had received fi^^d k<
a commission to buy two Testaments for a friend." "_

It is not, indeed, surprisino-, that persons of lesser note should Sect. I.

1 • 11- 1 • 1 f • 11 1 -r. Central.

have viewed this work with an unrnendly eye, when Koman _

Catholic bishops thought proper to describe and denounce the "^fjfgj™'
Society and its operations in such terms as the following: —

"As early as 1836, the Bishop of Bruges pubhshedan ordinance against tions^bv^"
the Bible work, in wliich he says—' Bibles translated into the vulgar Romau
tongue, or, to speak more truly, abominably mutilated hj a sacrilegious Catholic
hand, are distributed amongst the people.* We have one of these Bibles ^^ °^^"
before us, and with a perfidy worthy of the cause of error, several books
wliich the Catholic Church acknowledges as canonical, have been omitted.
In vain will you look for the books of Tobit,' &c., &c. In closing, he
says, that, after having conferred with his colleagues, they have deter-
mined to oppose a remedy to this evil. He therefore calls on the priests
to second him in his efforts to overturn our work, and to warn all their
flocks against the ' snares of the Bible Society,' and ' to command them
not to buy, or accept gratis, any of the books of the Society.' "

In 1837, the Bishop of Ghent followed the steps of his bro-
ther of Bruges ; and in 18.38, the last-named Bishop issued
another circular, in which he says —

" It is now a year and a-half ago, that, impressed with the duties of
our charge, we enjoined you, worthy pastors, to fortify j'ourselves, in our
name, against the subtle machinations of a Society alike hostile to God
and the Holy Church ; a Society which would rob you of all that is the
most dear to you — the precious deposit of your faith. You are already
aware, dear brethren, that we speak of the Bible Society.

" So far back as the year 1824, Pope Leo XII., of blessed memory,
pointed out to all the patriarchs, primates, archbishops, and bishops, of
the Catholic world, the impious projects of this Anti- Christian Society ;
and the event has only too well proved how justly grounded were the
alarms of that vigilant pontiff.

" Hence we are desirous that all our Diocesans should be apprised
anew, that it is severely prohibited to every one, who is not provided with
special permission to read and hold forbidden books, to liurchase a Bible,
or a Commentary on the Bible, or any other books whatever, of the emis-
saries of the Bible Society, or to receive them gratis, and to retain such
copies as thej have in their possession."

* The mutilations complained of, it will be seen, are nothing* more than
the omission of the Apocryphal Books, or apocryphal parts of books. The
Versions which are denounced are, in other respects, accredited Eoman
Catholic Versions.

456

HISTORY OF THE

EUEOPE.

Chap. Ill,
1829-54.

Sect. I.
Central.

Belgium.
1841.

The sur-
rendered
New Tes-
tament,

a light in
tlie priest's
dwelling.

The Bishop of Liege followed in the same track ; and in
1841, the Cardinal Archbishop devoted an annual charge to
the same subject, and, much at length, iterates the same injunc-
tions and wai'nings.

After such denunciation of the Society, and of the books it
circulates, it is pleasing to be able to record such an incident
as the following, extracted from the correspondence of Mr.
Tiddy:-

" A zealous Roman Catholic priest, afterwards a no less zealous Pro-
testant minister, was brought to examine one of our Flemish Testaments,
in the following- singular manner.— A Colporteur had sold a cojjy to
one of his parishioners. The poor man, frightened by a violent sermon
preached by another priest, hastened home, took his Testament, and
carried it to his own priest (the one in question), and begg'ed him to
burn it. He had bought it, he said, in ignorance, and therefore hoped
that the sin would not be laid to his charge, for he had been led to
believe that it was certain damnation for all those who had bought the
Testament to keep it or to read it. The priest, it appears, was induced
to read the book which was left with him.

" Afterwards, when he had become a Protestant minister, addressing
on one occasion the meeting of a Bible Association, he gave this further
history of himself.

" ' The day was fixed for my entering into a convent, the strictest of
convents, that of the Trappists. I suffered gi'eat agony of mind. I was
about to shut out for ever even the Hght. I cast myself on my knees, and
gave myself up to God. I earnestly implored Him to direct me. If it
were His pleasure for me thus to sacrifice mj^self, I beg'ged Him to enable
me to do it ; if not, plainly to show it me. I felt that I entirely gave
myself up to Him. I arose from my knees, I took the Bible from my
table, and opened it at the 51st Psalm : I knew it well in Latin, and had
often repeated it, but now it was fixed on my mind in a manner that I
shall never forget : it will be ever precious to me. My eyes lighted on
tins verse : " Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean ; wasli me, and I
shall be whiter than snow." The truth flashed across my mind : I under-
stood it all. It was not by my inflicting on my poor, sinful, and weak
body, pain and sufferings, that I could be delivered from my sins : I saw
that was to be done by a nobler sacrifice : I must be washed in the blood
of Christ, which cleanseth from all sin. The 16th and 17th verses of the
same Psalm determined me what to do. From that moment I have had a
peace and joy which surpass all knowledge. I found rest for my soul ; I
find it still amidst all the trials and temptations to which the Christian is
subject in this vale of tears. Attach yourselves to the word of God, and
not to the traditions of men ; that alone can lead you aright.' "

In the midst of interruptions and hindrances, the sales
were carried on, sometimes with remarkable rapidity. Thus

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 457

one Colporteur sold 1400 Bibles and Testaments in three EUROPE,
months ; another, 140 Bibles and 500 Testaments in one week ; ^ ~jTr
another, 880 in fourteen days; and, on one occasion, 222 in one 1829-54.
day ; and after that, in another fortnight, 190 Bibles and 805 Sect. I.
Testaments. Central.

Another beneficial result of Mr. Tiddy's continued Agency in Belgium.
Belgium, was the stimulus given to Bible Societies and Associa- ■^^^^*
tions. The Belgian and Foreign Bible Society was revived,
and placed on a firmer footing ; fresh vigour was imparted to Revival of
the Societies at Antwerp, Ghent, Tournay, Bruges ; the Asso- Bible
ciation at Dour was strengthened ; Branches were formed at Belt^lum.
Paturages and Labouverie ; and in other places similar Institu-
tions sprang up, which were afterwards formed into one body,
imder the title " Association Biblique pour la Belgique." All
this led the way, to the holding of series of Bible Meetings in
several towns and villages of Belgium, a practice continued at Belgic
intervals through successive years, and which excited conside- ^""^"^^
rable interest, and was followed by many beneficial results.
Some of these series of meetings were attended by clergymen
or other friends from England, who expressed the highest
satisfaction with what they witnessed. One of the most re-
markable of these series took place in the autumn of 1842,
attended, among others, by the Rev. Dr. Malan and M. do
Pressense. Their visit produced a deep impression, and was
accompanied with many cheering proofs of the extent
to which the seeds of Bible truth had taken root in the
hearts of the people. Meetings were held at Brussels,
Labouverie, Paturages, Dour, Mons, Liege, Charleroi. Most Their in-

interestino- scenes were presented on some of these occasions, tf^'^sting

ciiSrr&ctGr
The people, who, for the most part, had been Roman Catholics,

but who had benefited by reading the Holy Scriptures, flocked
together to listen to the addresses which were delivered, and,
by their simple, generous hospitality, as well as by their contribu-
tions, testified how much their hearts were moved and delighted.*
Many were the evidences that were accumulated of the good
arising from the labours of the Society in Belgium.

* For a lively account of this tour, see Report for 1843. The Monthly
Extracts, Reports, &c. for other years, also contain references to similar
series of Meetings.

458 HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE. Thus Mr. Tiddy Avrites, on one occasion : —

Chap III "One of my Colporteurs, wlio used formerly to colport in the neig-li-

1829-54. bourhood of Charleroi, returned last week to the field of his former labours.

— He says he is filled with admiration at the work going- on there. The word

CeTtrvl °^ ^^^ ^^^ ^'^^ ^^^^ distributed in vain. Those who were formerly

_ among-st the foremost to ill-treat him, when he offered them the Bible, are

Belgium, at present the most zealous followers of the Gospel. As soon as they

heard that the Colporteur was in the town, they sent word to him, to be

Incidents sure not to leave the town without calling on them. I once sent you an

of Colport- extract of a letter from the minister stationed there. It gave an account

of those who had read the Scriptures, showing the difference between such,

and those who had not done so. This same minister writes that the

movement is most extraordinary ; the rooms inside are crowded when he

preaches, and he has had in some places many people outside the doors and

windows. He says there are a hundred places where he could preach, if

he had time and strength. We are all highly delighted with the work in

his field of labour.''

Mr. Tiddy writes again : —

" I have often sent you most interesting accounts of the success of the
Gospel at Charleroi and in the neighbouring villages : but the half has
not been told you ; for I had no idea of the extent of the work now going*
on in those localities.

" About a fortnight since, I was present at the Annual Meeting of the
Belgian Evangelical Society. I heard the minister who resides at Charleroi
Effect _ give an account of his work, which cheered me much. That you may
in opening ^^-^^j apiDreciate the blessing God has granted us, I must recall to your
preaching, memory, that, from the first, our Colporteurs regularly visited that town
and its environs : month after month they colported, and always with
increased success, till at last every village was stocked with Bibles and
Testaments. This brought the people to make diligent inquiries after the
truth ; and many a time our Colporteurs have been refreshed by the
interesting rencontres they have had with persons seeking the truth. Many
pressing demands were made for pastoral instruction : these were not
listened to until about eighteen months ago. When the minister was fixed
there, he found the fallow ground broken up : and in a lettei', of which I
sent you an extract some short time since, he said, ' It was easily seen ^
who amongst the people had been accustomed to read the word of God,
and who had not : there was a most remarkable difference between them ;
the former being so much more easily instructed in the word, their views
being clearer, and their faith sti'onger.' In his speech he said, that since
he began his labours in Charleroi, the change in the character of a large
number of persons is most remarkable.

" The Bible Meeting we held at Charleroi has had a good eflect. One
man was present, who had been cherishing in his bosom thoughts of venge-
ance against one of his neighbours. From that evening, he turned from
those thoughts with horror ; and now he reads the Bible. The minister has

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 459

sold upwards of 100 volumes since our meeting-. He said, that he is EUROPE.
struck with amazement at the extraordinary movement which the preach- —

ing- of the Gospel has occasioned in that locality. Places of worship have i^99'.54 *
been opened by him in five or six different places ; and many persons —

earnestly beg him to come and preach, if it be only for once. In one Sect. I.
place, more than 600 persons surrounded the door and windows of the ^^'^
house of worship, whilst inside the people were so crowded, that they Belgium,
could scarcely move. Seats were out of the question ; they would have 1^44.
taken up too much room."

It is added: —

" The Colporteurs pursue their avocations with the same exemplary
diligence and constancy as in former years ; and many of them are them-
selves among the best witnesses of the importance of the Society's labours,
and the blessing that attends the distribution of the Scriptures."

Another collateral result of Bible operations in Belgium,
was the establishment of the Belgic Evangelical Society. The
circulation and reading of the Scriptures naturally led to a Eva^ge-
demand for living teachers, who should explain more fully the ^i^al So-
things contained in the Holy Book, and who should take charge ^^ ^"
of those who were now breaking off from the Church of Rome,
and associating themselves together in little communities, for
purposes of mutual edification and worship. To meet this new
emergency, a Society, similar to those already existing in
France and Switzerland, was formed in Belgium. Mr. Tiddy
himself, for some time, though not in his official character as Formation
Agent of the Bible Society, took an active part in the manage- gaSsTnd
ment of it. Through the instrumentality of this Society, a cliurches.
number of Evangelists were sent forth, some of whom after-
wards became themselves settled pastors, or led the way to the
settlement of other pastors ; and now not a few congregations or
churches, in the regular observance of Christian ordinances,
testify to the necessity and value of the above Institutions, and
are a standing monument of its success.

But to return to the Bible work : Mr. Tiddy's labours, and
those of his zealous Colporteurs, were industriously continued,
in the midst of many discouragements and much opposition.
A respectable English Clergyman,* who visited Belgium that
he might see and judge for himself, bears the subjoined
testimony to the character and usefulness of the Colporteurs
then employed in that country : —

* The Rev. Mr. Glyn.

460

HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE.

Chap. III.
1829-54.

Sect. I.
Central.

Belgium.
1845.

Intelli-
gence and
piety of
Colpor-
teurs.

Large
sales to
Roman
Catholics.

Scriptures
in villages
no longer
scarce.

" I was very much struck with the respectability and intellig-ence of the
four Colporteurs 1 had thegi-eat pleasure to meet : they are men who are
doing the work of Missionaries in as eminent a degree as any in the world^
Many anecdotes they mentioned, showing that the priests felt that the
greatest impediment to their work of error and delusion was the circulation
of the Scriptures through the means of our Colporteurs. It appears that
the greatest part of Belgium is traversed by these indefatigable men, who
with so very small an allowance are indeed most essentially doing their
Master's work. I do not know when I have been more gratified, than on
seeing such blessed results from our Society in Belgium, which is the
very seat of popery. I am sure the greatest enemy of our Society, if a
Christian, would rejoice in what has been done, and is doing, in Belgium."

The issues of the Scriptures, indeed, did not long continue on
so large a scale as in the first few years ; yet, when the reli-
gious state of the country, the amount of sales already effected,
and the impediments thrown in the way at every step, are taken
into account, it may appear surprising that still so much was
done in the way of distribution. In a review of the work, after
five years had elapsed, Mr. Tiddy was able to state that 87,000
copies of the Scriptures had been placed in the hands of the
Roman Catholic popvilation, of which not 1000 had been dis-
posed of gratuitously. The sum produced by sales amounted
to £2200. He calculated, that there had then been distributed
in that country, one volume to every thirty-five inhabitants, or,
after deducting the immense number of persons not able to
read, probably one volume to every twenty or twenty -five
persons ; and he adds : —

" Five years since it was a rare sight to see a Bible in a village ; now,
as one of my Colporteurs lately told me, in his round there is not a village
into which the Bible has not penetrated ; and many a family assembles
around the word of Life in the evenings, when the labours of the day are
over. This holds true, more especially, in those parts of the country where
French is spoken. A Swiss Christian, some short time since, had occasion
to visit diiferent parts of this country on commercial affairs, where he had
an opportunity of judging of the effect of our distributions, and on returning
from his journey, he told a friend, that everywhere he found persons with
the Bible in their possession, or fullj^ acquainted with the nature of our
labours. When I came here, I offered the Bible to respectable persons,
who did not even know what the Bible meant. I believe this is no longer
the case : little children can now tell you what Bibles are. It is worthy
of remark, that the ground over which our Colporteurs have worked for
two years past, is ground trodden over times without number, so that
they often, at least once a month, return to the same place ; and hence

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 461

our late sales have been made to persons who, during- the first two or three EUROPE,
years of our labours, refused to buy, but who have been convinced and
won over by the Bible itself, from having- seen it or heard of it from 1829-54.'
others. This is the more encouraging-, when we remember, that during- the —

last two years the opposition of the pi-iests has rather increased than ^ect. I.

diminished, and that they have taken severe measures to prevent those

under their power from buying- of us." Belgium.

At the end of seven years, Mr. Tiddy expressed himself in ^^^^'
more glowing terms of the work and of its results, yet not, it General
is believed, with a confidence beyond what the facts of the case regard to
fully justified, and subsequent experience has confirmed. Belgium.

" We have seen the word of God silently working- its way into the
houses of rich and poor, learned and ig-norant ; and the prayer of faith
has g-one up to the throne of God. Reaching- the present moment, we
can look around us, and rejoice with great joy. 102,840 volumes have
been issued from our depot in seven years, 9.3,090 of which have been put
into circulation by means of those dear friends engaged with me in carry-
ing- out the g-lorious object of the Bible Society. We see many Missionary
stations formed, many cong-reg-ations assembled, many ministers preaching-
the Gospel of Christ, many souls made obedient to the truth, many
places filled by inquirers after truth, which places were once occupied by
those now enjoying- the fulness of truth in eternal g-lory. We see'schools,
in which there are many children reading- the sacred word of God, and
lisjiing- His praise. We see, also, thousands of religious tracts and religious
works scattered throughout the length and breadth of the land. We see
the cause of Christ enracine [rooted], and steadily growing to a large tree
whose branches cover the whole country."

Holland. — The several causes above alluded to, having Holland,
tended to circumscribe the work of the Society in Belgium, and
to render the sales increasingly difficult, the Society's inde-
fatigable Agent began to cast about in his mind, as to whether
some new channels might not be found, or existing openings en-
larged, for the wider diffusion of the Holy Scriptures, and, in
doing so, his attention became directed to the adjoining country
of Holland.

Holland, a Protestant country, had not been without its Previous
Biblical Institutions and efforts. The Netherlands Bible "ftlfe^^""^
Society, instituted in 1814, had pursued its labours with per- Nether-
severance and energy. Up to the period now referred to, its Sodety!^^^
total issues had approached to 300,000 copies, and the number
of its Associations amounted to eighty. It had also its corre-
sponding Societies abroad, at Surinam, in the' East Indies, in
Java, and elsewhere. In the island of Java its Agents were.

462 HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE, at this period, engaged in carrying forward a translation of the
CHirill Bible into the Javanese, and other translations had been, from
1829-54. time to time, encouraged by them.

Sect I. I^ "^^^^ from no wish to interfere with the Netherlands Society,
Central. {^ the labours and successes of which (their object being
Holland, one) they could not but rejoice, that the British and Foreign
1843. Bible Society encouraged their Agent, Mr. Tiddy, in 1843, to
Project of attempt, in conjunction with friends in Holland, an enlargement
Colpmtage ^^ ^^^^ -g-y^ ^^^^^^^ j^^ ^1^^^. country, by means of the system of
Tiddy. Colportage— a system so successfully acted upon in France and
Belgium. Mr. Tiddy had been for some time under the im-
pression that an attempt of this kind might be beneficially
made. In the spring of the preceding year, he had been
authorized to make a visit to Holland, to confer with the
members of the Bible Society there, and with other friends.
Faint on the subject ; and it is but justice to say, that he met with a

encourage- ].-j-^jj ^^^^ Christian reception, though doubts were entertained
ment held ^ ^ . , .

out to him. in some quarters, as to the expediency and practicability

of the plan of Colportage ; arising in part, perhaps, from

its novelty, in its application to that country, perhaps in part,

from its apprehended interference with the system of gratuitous

and cautious distribution hitherto pursued.

Mr. Tiddy, however, received sufficient encouragement to

warrant, in the judgment of the Committee, an experiment.

Arrangements were made for the employment of Colporteurs in

Large some of the principal towns of Holland, and their vicinity ;

success of jj^ Qj^Q Qj. t^Q instances the local Societies taking the over-

the first mi /-( 1

efforts. sight of the work. Three Colporteurs at once presented
themselves in Holland itself : these, in conjunction with two
others furnished by Mr. Tiddy, to assist, by their practical
knowledge, in the outset, entered on their work, and the success
was truly gratifying and surprising. In the course of twelve
or fourteen weeks above 12,000 copies were disposed of, and
the sales would have been mvich larger, had the Society been
better prepared for the demand which burst upon them :
large editions of the Dutch Scriptures were put to press, and
proceeded with as rapidly as possible.

One or two extracts from letters received at the time will
show the eagerness, both of Protestants and Roman Catholics,

joyful re-
ception of
tlie Scrip-

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 463

to avail themselves of the greater facility afforded for supplying EUEOPE.
themselves with copies of the sacred Book. Chap" III

" Rotterdam. 1829-54.

" Tuesday last the Dutch Colijorteur, accompanied by one from Brussels, g^~ j
began his rounds in this town, and in four days he has sold 274 Centkai..
volumes, more Protestant than Roman Catholic editions; the Pro- —

testants here, I am told, are the majority. To-day 100 volumes were sold 104?
before dinner, and the good folks are sending to the Colporteur's house
for tliem. They have been obliged to calm the sales rather than other-
wise."

" Amsterdam.

" The sales here take such a turn, that my depot will soon be emptied Incidents
should they continue so. Yesterday one Colporteur sold 376 Dutch °f the
New Testaments ; 19 Roman CathoUc Bibles ; 24 Dutch ditto ; 13 Martin's
Testaments ; 47 Roman Catholic Flemish ditto.

" On Saturday', having no Protestant New Testaments, he did not go tures,
out ; but in a short time, however, he sold 111 volumes : people came to
him from eight a.m. to midnight, and even later still. He has not even
time to eat

" I cannot describe to you the enthusiasm of the people here of all
classes. We have a quantity of orders which we cannot execute. Every
one is astonished, and rejoices at the success.''

Mr. Tiddy himself writes :

" The sales at the depot sui-pass all idea. In one week 964 volumes
were sold in retail ; and had there been Dutch Testaments sufficient for
the demand, a thousand volumes more might have been sold. The total
sales of that week amount to 2250 volumes

" In five weeks, very nearly 10,000 copies have been sold, including
600 copies sold to the Nimeguen Bible Association. Had we had 20,000
more to have supphed the demands, they would have been easily disposed
of."

In the following year, 1845, a Minister of the Gospel residing
at Rotterdam gives his opinion on the work, as follows : —

" There has not been such a thirst for the word of Life in this country. Eagerness
I believe, for many years, as has recently been excited by the operations of °^ ^^^
your Society. The thousands of copies, which have been disposed of
within the last twelve or fifteen months, afford good proof of this ; and
it is a pleasing fact to know, that these thousands have found their way
amongst all classes of the population, rich and poor, j-oung and old, Pro-
testant and Roman Catholic, priests and people. Verily your Colporteurs
have had no sinecure ; they have been worked as hard as any day-
labourers in the land. Indeed, I can testify, in regard to our worthv
friend Van Dorp (the Colporteur stationed at Rotterdam), that he has not
been a mere (/ai/-labourer : he has laboured niffht and day in your seiwice.
His house has been visited, — I might say, Hterally besieged,— at all hours.

classes.

464

HISTORY OF THE

Chap. Ill
1829-54.

Sect. I.
Central

Holland.
1847.

Success
continues.

EUROPE, by multitudes, eagerly seeking for the Bread of Life, that endureth for
ever. You know that he has lived in an obscure part of the city, in a
lane that was scarcely known to any, save the poorest of the inhabitants j
but now that lane, or the ' Achter Kloster,' of which it forms a part, is
as well known as the great church of St. Lawrence, or the statue of
Erasmus, and almost as celebrated as either the one or the other.

The extraordinary demand for the Sacred Volume, which
was thus awakened in Holland, continued through several
successive years. In the year ending March 1845, the second
year after the work began, the issues amounted to 46,155 : in
the following year they reached 76,515, an increase of above
30,000 copies. This was the largest annual issue. The next
was 45,495 ; in the following year, 30,874. In seven years,
the total issues had passed beyond 260,000 copies, of which
above 50,000 had been dispersed among Roman Catholics ;
from that period they suffered some decline.

The first great obstacle to the work in Holland sprang from
the increased and energetic opposition of the Roman Catholic
clergy. Two mandates, condemnatory of the labours of the So-
ciety, were put forth by the Roman Catholic Bishop of Dardanie,
which were published in a pamphlet, with a preface by one
who, though the son of a Protestant Minister, had become a
Roman Catholic. As a specimen of the manner in which
the work was assaulted and maligned, an extract from the
second mandate is given below.* To these publications Mr. Tiddy

* " Beloved and faithful, we again perceive you exposed to a danger
which is daily becoming more alarming ; and again we are constrained,
by the lovff which we bear to your souls in their Creator and Redeemer,
Jesus Christ, to hft up our pastoral voice. The solemn account which
we must one day give of your salvation, and of the sacred faith which is
committed to our charge, obliges us to warn you most earnestly, so that
we may not fear the everlasting woe at which the holy apostle Paul
trembled and exclaimed — ' "Woe is unto me if I preach not the Gospel I
woe unto me if I do not defend the truths of God ! (1 Cor. ix. 16.) It is
not one particular virtue of which the devil is now striving to deprive you,
nor any special duty which he is seeking to hinder you from accom-
plishing : it is nothing less than the foundation of the whole Christian
edifice which he is labouring to undermine. It is the root of the tree of
eternal life he is seeking to destroy. It is your holy faith, beloved Chris-
tians, which the devil is trying to take away ; your faith, without which
no heavenly virtue can exist ; your faith, without which it is impos-
sible to please God (Heb. xi. 6)."

Roman

Catholic

Mandates.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 465

wrote an answer. In the form of a letter, which met with a EUROPE,

rapid and extensive sale in Holland, nearly 21,000 copies chap"!!!

having, within a short time, been brought into circulation. 1829-54.
But the difficulty of selling to the Roman Catholics was of Sect. I.

course augmented. Central.

Another partial obstruction arose, from the impracticability Holland,

of multiplying the books with sufficient rapidity to meet the ^^'^'^'
imusual and unexpected call. Edition after edition was put
to press, and all prudent despatch was employed ; still, in
some instances, the opportunity well nigh passed away before
sufficient supplies were obtained.

But a further circumstance, and one that chiefly tended to Renewed

circumscribe and curtail the Society's work In Holland, was tjje n7-°^

one which was regarded by the Society with any thing but a therlands

Bible So-

" Scarcely a year lias elapsed since the successor of tlie holy Peter, the *^^^*y*
substitute on earth of Jesus Christ, raised his voice to warn the whole
Christian Church ag-ainst the renewed efforts of the self-called Bible So-
cieties ; and now, with the greatest giief, we see established in the diocese
of the Church conlided to our pastoral care a branch of one of those fatal
Societies. Yes, faithful and beloved, so near to us is the danger, that in
our very midst the darts are forged with which the devil aims at the
' heart-artery ' of our faith : we have been assured that in our very midst
are printed those books which, bemg, by a sacrilegious presumj^tion, called
Bible writings, God's word, or some such like name, must tend to make
jou disobedient and rebellious against God's authoritj- , entrusted by Jesus
Christ to his holy Church. Those books are distributed with such impudence,
that the persons who sell them are not contented with publicly adver-
tising* in the newspapers where and of whom thej" may be purchased, but
they even dare, under every kind of pretence, and with plausible but hy-
pocritical and poisonous words, to hawk them about among Roman Ca-
thoHcs, to press these to purchase at ridiculously low prices, and even to
offer them the books gratis. Much beloved and faithful brethren, whom
T love in Jesus Christ, I beseech you, by the love of your Saviour, and
by the love of your own souls, be carefully on your g-uard, especially
against this artifice of your hellish foe, whom resist stedfast in your

faith (1 Pet. V. 9)

" Should any among you have already bought or received the books
of the Bible Society, do not keep them in your house, or even look in
them, but follow the example of the Ephesinns, who, at the voice of Paul,
threw into the lire and burned those books they were not permitted to
keep (Acts xix. 19) ; or, if you prefer it, and can conveniently do so,
bring them to your priest, or to your father-confessor, whose advice you
can follow."

H IT

466 niSTOTlY OF THE

EUROPE, feeling of regret, and that wasj the renewed zeal and activity
C ~III t^^^'own into the operations of the Netherlands Bible Society,
1829-54. and the new plans adopted by it to compete with the friendly
Sect^ I rivalry which had arisen. The leading friends of the Nether-
Central. lands Society, were not slow to acknowledge the beneficial ini-
Hoiland. pulse wdiich the labours of Mr. Tiddy and his Colporteurs
'^^^- had given to Bible operations, nor were they backward to
avail themselves of those improvements in the kind and
quality of the books, and that reduction of prices, that had so
materially contributed to give to the British Agency so sudden
and unlooked-for a popularity among the Dutch people. Thus,
before some of the large editions, preparing under the superin-
tendence of Mr. Tiddy, were ready to be issued, some earnest
and commendable exertions, on the part of the Dutch Society,
had enabled them to take their share in the movement; and a
system of supplying the Scriptures was thenceforward adopted,
which tended to supersede the urgent necessity, and did, in
fact, to a considerable extent, diminish the demand for the su-
peradded efforts of the British Society's devoted Agent. Still,
as there appeared no sufficient reason for a suspension of these
efforts, but rather the contrary, they have been continued up
to the present time, and not without tokens of the Divine
blessing resting upon them.

The total issues effected in Holland by the above Agency,
amounted, in 1854, to 354,478 copies.

Allusion having been made above to editions of the Scrip-
Editions of t^^i'es passing through the press under the superintendence
tlie Scrip- ^f ]y[j,_ Tiddy, it may be right, in this place, to offer some
supTrin- remarks on this point. It had long been an ascertained
tended by ^^^^ -j^ ^|^g history of the Society, that, with a view to
Tiddy. economy, as well as also, in some cases, to meet the prejudices
or preferences of the people, it was desirable to get the Scrip-
tures printed and bound, in or near the countries where they
were intended to be circulated. This practice had long been
adopted, and carried out on a large scale, by Dr. Pinkerton,
under the sanction of the Society.

When, therefore, Mr. Tiddy became established at
Brussels as the Society's Agent, his attention was naturally

BRITISn AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 467

drawn to this subject ; and he soon became convinced, that, EUROFE.
besides meeting the claims of economy, much might be done c^^T" III
towards improving the quality of the books, both as regarded 1829-54.
the paper and printing, and also the binding ; thus rendering sect. I.
the volume at once more attractive and valuable. To this <^entral.
object he assiduously devoted himself, and with an ultimate Belgium,
success which not a little surprised those best acquainted with
the difficulties with which he had to contend. By his skilful
management the end was obtained, through the medium of
enterprising private parties, without involving the Society in
any responsibility. Books printed under his superintendence,
soon bore away the palm of superiority, and have become
popular in Holland, France, Germany, and other countries.
Indeed, it was the appearance and quality of the books, com-
bined with their cheapness, that seemed to give the first im-
pulse to the astonishing sales effected in Holland ; and sub-
sequent extraordinary sales, to which we shall have to refer,
in Cologne and in Switzerland, may doubtless, in part at least,
be traced to the same cause ; for everywhere, books from this
quarter proved among the most acceptable.

From the above statement it will appear, that superin-
tending the printing of the Scriptures became an important
branch of the Belgic Agency. Numerous and extensive
editions of the Scriptures, in Flemish, French, Dutch, and
German, have been printed at Brussels, Breda, and Cologne ;
and at Brussels and Cologiie the work is still carried forward
on a large scale.*

The Biblical field in Belgium had now undergone a pretty
full cultivation ; few only were the towns and villages re- Extension
maining, wdiich had not been visited again and again, so that ?,i}\^:
the staff of Colporteurs had required to be considerably operations
lessened. The operations also in Holland, which had opened the°Rhhie"
on so large a scale, had been placed under suitable supervision,
and, indeed, had been, to some extent, superseded by the
quickened energy and activity of the Netherlands Society.
Mr. Tiddy, therefore, was now more at liberty to direct his

* The probable total number of copies printed under Mr. Tiddy's su-
perintendence, and during his Agency, amounts to upwards of half a
million.

II II 2

468

HISTORY OF THE

EUKOPE.

Chap. III.
1829-54.

Sect. I.
Central.

Cologne
1847.

Depot for

Khenish

provinces.

attention to other quarters ; and the Rhenish provinces pre-
sented themselves as affording a promising sphere for further
investigation and culture.

In the autumn of 1847, Mr. Tiddy succeeded, after en-
countering nvimerous impediments, in opening a depot for the
sale of the Scriptures at Cologne, which was also selected
as tlie centre of a system of Colportage, to be attempted
for the benefit of the surrounding countries. Here he soon
met with unexpected encouragement. By the close of March
1848, 9493 copies of the Scriptures had been issued. " These,"
Mr. Tiddy states, " had been distributed in various places,
and to every class of persons, one copy here, another there,
as grains of the incorruptible seed. The depot had also
been visited by people of all sorts and ranks, high and low,
rich and poor ; some imbued with deep reverence for the
Sacred Volume, others jesting and sneering, but still buying ;
some, who through the Scriptures had become wise unto
salvation ; others, deeply ignorant, and frankly confessing
that they knew not what the Bible was — that they had never
possessed or seen one before. The Colporteurs also had gone
to the mansions of the wealthy and great, and to the humble
cottages of the poor and needy, commissioned by that God
with whom there is no respect of persons. About one-third
of the volumes distributed, were purchased by Roman Ca-
tholics." In the course of the following year, the issues
amounted to 26,878, of which 14,834 were sold by Colpor-
teurs, and 12,044 from the depot. The work thus rapidly and
satisfactorily obtained a footing in those provinces.

The sphere of Mr. Tiddy's operations had now become
greatly enlarged, consisting in fact of three distinct Agencies ;
but he was happy in meeting with valuable and devoted assis-
tants. Mr. Chevalier, who had at first the charge of the d^pot
at Amsterdam, was succeeded by Mr. Van der Bom, who
steadily and satisfactorily fulfils the duties of his office. The
depot at Cologne was entrusted to Mr. Edward Millard, and
when he was called away from his position to undertake the
experimental mission in Austria, he was succeeded by his
brother, Mr. N. B. Millard, who with equal assiduity and dili-
gence occupies the post assigned to him. The depot at

BEITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 469

Brussels remained more immediately under Mr. Tiddy's own EUROPE.

®y®^ ^ ^ _ Chap. III.

For reasons already mentioned, the distributions of the 1829-54.
Scriptures in Belgium and Holland became, after a time, Sect. I.
rather slackened ; though they continued to be, in the latter Cektral,
country especially, by no means inconsiderable, and the labours Cologne.
of the Colporteurs, several of whom were still employed, con- ^
tinned to furnish many gratifying instances of usefulness.
It was, however, in connection with the depot at Cologne, that
the cliief success was witnessed. Here the work prospered
exceedingly.

Thus the distribution, which, as we have seen, amounted in
the first year to about 26,000, in the next year reached 46,615
volumes; and at this time 260,000 copies of the Sacred Scrip-
tures, in various editions, were in the press, under the super-
intendence of Mr. Tiddy.*

The correspondence of the year supplied a large number of
interesting incidents. The following very simple, yet touch-
ing one, is here mtroduced. It relates to the depot at Co-
logne : —

" A girl, about fifteen years of age, used to come regularly every morn-
ing, about half-past nine o'clock, to read a chapter in the Bible which was
l^laced in the window. Every morning-, when the shop was opened, a

* The following table of distributions in each province,— in the course
of the year, — will show that the Scriptures were diffused through every
part of the district confided to the care of this Agency : — •

15,717 vols, were disseminated m Rhenish Prussia.

6,972 „ in Oldenburg, Bremen, and Bremerhaven.

6,450 „ in Hanovei-.

9,886 „ in Hamburg.

2,975 „ in Mecklenburg.

1,535 „ in Liibeck, Holsteui, and adjacent parts.

3,080 „ in sundry other parts of Germany.

46,615 volumes.

If the eye is cast over a map of the district, it will be seen that it was com-
pletely covered with these labours.

One very pleasing feature of the Colportage in Germany was the
favour the work met with amongst the Roman Catholic population. The
first edition of 1 0,OUU of Kistemaker's Testament, was run off in a few
months, and a second edition which left the press met with a ready and
constant sale.

470

HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE.

CnAP. III.
1829-54.

Sect. I.
Central.

Cologne.
1851.

1851.

Colporteur
Osee Der-
becq.

fresh leaf was turned over, and, shortly after, the girl would come. She
did not, like most others, stare at the foreign editions, hut immediately
went to her own book, read through her page, and went away. This lasted
for about three months. Afterwards she was not seen. She may have
been taken off by the cholera, which was violent at that time in Cologne.
Perhaps we shall find the sequel to this simple story in a better world."

The next year the distributions amounted to above 55,000
copies, notwithstanding that considerable opposition showed
itself in several quarters, especially on the part of those Minis-
ters who were in favour of the Apocrypha ; and their number
was by no means small. At one conference of Ministers, it
was proposed to form a Society to prevent the Apocrypha
being taken away from the (Lutheran) National Church. This
hostility to unapocryphal Bibles is spread very widely, and
still forms, in many parts, a great hindrance to the labours of
the Colporteurs. It is as strongly evinced by many of the
Protestant, as it is by the Roman Catholic clergy.

A very valuable Colporteur died this year in Belgium, of
the name of Osee Derbecq. An interesting account of his life
and labours was furnished in a letter of Mr. Tiddy, a small '
part of which is here introduced, to stir up the friends of the
Society to gratitude to God, who raises up such instruments
for carrying on its important work.

"Derbecq was appointed in 1839. Never have you had a moi'e faith-
ful, zealous, or pious Colporteur : his whole life was absorbed by liis work :
it was really ' his meat and his drink to do the work of his heavenly
Father.' As soon as he had returned from one journey, he began to pre-
l)are for another, and was never easy until he was again on his rounds,
often leaving unfinished, as his wife has since informed me, work which
he had begun at home or in his orchard.

" The Lord blessed him with a most remarkable degree of success. I
calculate that he distributed at least 1 8,000 volumes, during his eleven
years' service, and offered the Scriptures to more than 200,000 persons.
His deep-toned piety and profound humility, made bun a welcome visitor
wherever he went. High and low, learned and unlearned, gladly received
him and listened to his words. Many, many of those who had persecuted
him when he first visited them, became afterwards his warmest friends.
His reports, translations of which I have often sent you, showed a tho-
rough acquaintance with the word of God, and a lively reahzation of its
blessed truths. His discussions with Roman Catholic jiriests and their
agents, were full of holy boldness and faithful testimony to the grace of
God. Perhaps no man has done, in the time, more for his Master's cause,
than our much-beloved friend."

BRITISH AND FOKEIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 471

Though the above may be regarded as a somewhat remark- EUROPE,
able case,— Derbecq has been called the prmce of Colporteiu's, cjjap. III.
—still mstances of great devotedness, zeal, patient suffering, 1829-54.
and perseverance, accompanied with eminent success too, are Sect. I.
by no means unusual, among this numerous and important class ^^'^ntral.
of labourers, in this part as well as others of the Biblical field. Belgium.

In the three next succeeding years, bringing the account up
to the close of the year of Jubilee, the issues from the three
depots under Mr. Tiddy's charge were conjointly as fol-
lows:—In 1852, 99,240; in 1853, 92,817; and in 1854,
103,065. Of these, the largest issues were from the Cologne
d(^p6t, being, in the respective years above mentioned, 68,014,
64,481, 69,238.

The total issues from the three Agencies, up to March 1854,
were as follows : —

Belgium, from Sept. 1835 . 202,865 Total of

Holland, from Jan. 1844 . 354,478 A^rUr'

Cologne, from July 1847 . 342,225 Tiddy's

899,568 volumes, ^g^^^y-

The above issues are irrespective of copies supplied to
other Agencies, or forwarded to the Society's depot in Earl
Street, which now began to amount to considerable numbers ;
for the books printed at Brussels and Cologne were, in conse-
quence of their excellent quality and low prices, in growing
demand, not for Mr. Tiddy's Agency only, but for other depots
and countries. Thus, in the three years just mentioned, these
extra issues, not included in the above tables, amounted respec-
tively to 18,696, 26,639, 62,410 volumes.

Observant of this demand (which has since considerably in-
creased), the Society thought it right to sanction the multiplying
of editions, from the presses which had thus successfully com-
peted in providing the Scriptures in so acceptable a form. To
this result, the indefatigable efforts of Mr. Tiddy mainly con-
tributed; and no small meed of praise is also due to those
enterprising individuals who, under Mr. Tiddy's direction, but
at their own risk, have done so much to raise the character of
this branch of manufactory, in these different countries, and
thus to aid the general work of Bible distribution.

472

HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE.

Chap. III.
1829-54.

Sect. I.
Central.

Belgium.
1853.

Testimony
of Rev. T.
Phillips.

We have already alluded to the favourable opinion ex-
pressed by clergymen and others, occasional visitors to the
Continent, of the works carried on by the Society and its
Agent in the countries now under review. To these testi-
monies we may add the following, from one of the Society's
Domestic Agents, Rev. T. Phillips, who having, in 1853,
made a short tour through each part of Mr. Tiddy's field
of labour, furnished an account of the result of his obser-
vations. The extract subjomed relates more particularly to
Belgium.

" It is delightful to compare the present with the past, when the con-
trast is favourable to the best interests of our fellow-creatures. Belgium
furnishes such a contrast. In the year 1535, Tindal, the first translator
and pubhsher of the English Bible, suffered martyrdom at Yillevorde, near
Brussels. In the year 1 835, the Bible Society sent an agent to resume
and to carry on the work commenced by the Martyr 300 years before ;
and it is delightful to know that, from a city only six miles distant from
the spot where the tragic scene was enacted, there have been sent out
and distributed, in Belgium alone, about 200,000 copies of the sacred vo-
lume ! There are good reasons for beheving that this great distribution
of the Scriptures has produced important results. The traveller, in pass-
ing hastily through Belgium, beholds Popery rampant everywhere, yet
without the moral power to restrain vice and immorality ; and, seeing all
this, may be led to conclude that the Bible in Belgium has done no good,
and that it has exercised no saving influence over the consciences and lives
of the community. Upon inquiry, however, it wiU be found, that an
under-current of knowledge and conviction flows, and that in many places
it has appeared above ground, affecting the surface of society. On the day
after my arrival, the ' Belg'ian Evang'elical Society' held its Annual Meet-
ing, which was attended by about 250 persons — the Protestants of Brussels
and the neighbouring towns. There were present, pastors and representa-
tives from about sixteen different congregations, scattered throughout the
country. I was informed that the majority of the pastors and their con-
gregations are to be regarded as the fruit of Bible Society labours. In
the first instance, the Colporteur breaks up the fallow ground, sows the
good seed, which, by God's blessing, springs upwards in the conversion of
a few individuals here and there. The Evangelist follows— the people
are visited and gathered together— little churches are formed ; and these,
again, are fed with heavenly bread from the stores of the Bible Society."

The experience of Belgium has been also that of the other
countries now under review, so far as the difference of circum-
stances, and the time occupied in their cultivation, would allow.
The Bible is the precursor of many blessings, social as well

Termina-
tion of Mr.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 473

as personal, secular as well as sacred ; and its influence, when EUROPE,
attended by God's blessing, is vivifying, genial, and expansive, q^^^^jh
in a truly surprising degree. l«29-54.

Sect. I.

With the year of Jubilee, closed Mr. Tiddy's connection Central.
with the Society, as one of its continental Agents ; which office Belgium,
he had held for more than eighteen years. An appointment ^ i^^-^-
which he accepted as Minister of a congregation near London
recalled him to this country. In drawing up his final report, Tiddy's
Mr. Tiddy adverts to several facts, illustrative of the state in sency.
which the various countries embraced in his Agency were
found, at the time when his Agency terminated.

In Belgium, the distributions, as compared with those in
Holland aijd Germany, had become small. Two Colporteurs
were thought sufficient for carrying on the work that remained ;
for it is to be remembered that the multitude was still Papist,
and after a circulation of 200,000 volumes in the country, sales
could only be accomplished at a slow rate. A remarkable Increased
contention had still to be endured with Roman episcopal oppo- "nBelgium.
sition and priestly influence, and with superstition, prejudice,
and ignorance ; to say nothing of the enmity of the natural
heart in every man. The hostility of the Roman Catholic
clergy, was the same as when the work was begun. The
Bishop of Bruges, who, in 1836, issued the first ordinance
against the Society, had been succeeded in his office by another
Bishop, the author of two volumes, published in 1848, against
the Society and its labours: and the latter, in 1853, had issued
a pastoral letter of the same hostile character. In consequence
of this opposition, Belgium profited little by the year of Jubilee,
and no opening offered itself, as in Holland and Germany, for
the placing of Bibles and Testaments in the prisons and hos-
pitals of the land. A request made to the prison authorities
at Liege, for permission to place the Scriptures in the cells of
a prison there, was refused, through the influence of the priests
attending the prison.

The work in Holland, under the blessing of God, continued
as usual. A grant, consisting of 7320 Bibles and Testa- Jubilee
ments, was made, as a Jubilee Memorial to Holland. These Holland,
were gratuitously distributed, under the direction of Mr,

474

HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE.

Chap. III.
1829-54.

Sect. I.

Central.

Holland.
1854.

Cologne.

Scriptures
supplied to
prisons.

Van der Bom, the Society's valuable Depositary at Am-
sterdam.

Of the copies given, 5231 were placed in 99 schools, con-
taining above 9400 scholars, among whom only 1656 copies of
the Scriptures were to be found, before these grants were sent
to them. In 36 of the schools, containing nearly 3000 scholars,
there was not a single copy of the word of God. There were
given to alms-houses and hospitals, 467 Bibles and Testaments ;
to prisons, 327 ; and 273 copies were placed in churches attended
by poor congregations.

At Cologne, and in the sphere connected with it, notwith-
standing the continued opposition experienced, owing to the
absence of the Apocrypha, the work was going on steadily ;
and, from abundant testimonies received from various quarters,
appeared to be appreciated.

The proposal to supply prisons and hospitals with a Jubilee
grant, opened an interesting and widely-extending field for the
Society's bounty. A voluminous correspondence was entered
into with various authorities and individuals ; and, generally
speaking, a great willingness was found, on the part of the
Directors and Chaplains of prisons and hospitals, to receive the
Scriptures for the use of those committed to their care.

The Provincial Committee for Inner Missions in the
Rhenish Provinces, having heai'd of the Society's intention,
kindly offered to attend to the placing the Jubilee Scriptm^es
in the Cantonal prisons in those provinces, in which prisoners
are temporarily detained while being conveyed from one place
to the other ; and where, also, persons are confined for minor
offences during brief periods, sometimes, however, for the
space of several weeks, or even months. In the district of
Diisseldorf there are 76; in that of Aix-la-Chapelle, 17 ; in
that of Cologne, 19; in that of Treves, 28 ; and in that of
Coblentz, 51 such prisons.

There were, thus, 191 prisons supplied with the Scriptures
during the Jubilee year of the Society, independent of the large
prisons. It appears that tliese distributions amounted to 2382
Bibles and 2348 Testaments. Several of the prisons enumerated
are very large, containing from 600 to 1200 prisoners. The
letters received from the diflercnt Directors prove sufficiently.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 475

that the Bibles were considered as a most acceptable and valu- EUROPE.
able gift. CnA^III.

In consequence of Mr. Tiddj's withdrawment from the post i»2'j-54.
he had so long and successfully occupied, a new arrangement Sect. I.
for carrying on the Society's work in the above countries Central.
became requisite; and one immediately presented itself, which 1854.
promised to secure a prosecution of the same plans which, ment'of '
through the favour of God, had already proved so successful. Messrs.
Mr. Van der Bom remained in charge of the Depository at Bom ;
Amsterdam ; Mr. N. B. Millard, as Depositary at Cologne, ^1"^'*^^'
continued to conduct the work there ; and Mr. John Kirk- rick,
patrick, wdio had acted as clerk under Mr. Tiddy, was now
appointed to the management of the depot in Brussels. Mr.
Tiddy yielded to the request of the Committee to take, for a
time, the general oversight of these Agencies, so far as his
residence in this country, and his other duties, would allow.

It remains only to add here, that, on the retirement of Mr.
Tiddy, the Committee thought it right to present him with a
gratuity of £100, as a token of the sense entertained by them
of his long-continued, faithful, and efficient services.

Switzerland and Northern Italy. — The Bible Society Switzer-
has from the first, as this history has already shown, had warm No,.th^'
and zealous friends in Switzerland. Kindred Institutions were Italy,
early established in all its principal cantons and cities, by which
means a very considerable circulation was effected : still, how-
ever, it was thought that amongst its Protestant population, to
say nothing of the Roman Catholic cantons, the Scriptures
might be much more extensively diffused. A devoted friend of
the Sodety, Lieutenant Graydon, R.N., a gentleman who had Labours of
been for some years resident in Switzerland, and formerly an Gravdon
active agent in distributing the Scriptures in Spain, having
had his attention drawn to the subject, wrote to the Society in 1815.
London, begging to be entrusted with considerable supplies
of the Scriptures in certain specified forms, chiefly of the small
and ornamented editions, which he proposed himself to offer for
sale ; travelling, for this purpose, from place to place, with no
other charge to the Society than the expenses of the undertaking.
The Committee, with much pleasure, forwarded to Mr. Gray-
don several hundred copies, with which to begin his mission.

476

HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE.

Chap. III.
1829-54.

Skct. I.
Central.

Switzer-
laud.
1845.

Sales of
Scriptures
at the
Swiss fairs.

Berne.

The following is the report of his first attempt ; it was made
at Neuchatel, where he was then residing : this was towards
the close of the year 1845 : —

" It is with a heart full of joy and gratitude to the Lord, that I take up
my pen to inform you that two cases of New Testaments have arrived here.
When the last came to hand, I thought I should have a sufficient number
of copies in French, to meet any probable demand that might be made
between this and the new year For the last three days, work-
men and workwomen have been flowing in to purchase ; so that, by this
time to-morrow, it is probable not one copy will remain of the 700 copies,
in French and German, received twelve days ago from your depot, and
from Brussels! Almost every purchaser was of the lower and very

lowest class, and all expressed, more or less, of gratitude The

whole town of 7000 inhabitants, is in a ferment about it.

After an interval of several w^eeks, during which fresh
supplies of the Scriptures were prepared and consigned, Mr.
Graydon returned to his work, with encouragement still
awaiting him.

" I write to inform you, that on the 2-2d January (1846), I recom-
menced the sale ; and although the weather was then, and has been ever
since, very wet and stormy, yet in eight days have I sold 517 copies to
about four hundred individuals, and a far larger number would have
been taken, had the copies been of Ostervald's version, which is the one
in use in all the schools of this canton.

Shortly afterwards he writes : —

" I had scarcely posted my letter, when I was obliged to curtail the
sale of the French copies, in order to preserve some for the eight
days' fair of this town, which commencetl on the 18th instant (Feb.),
and to which very many of the inhabitants of the mountain districts

come The fair has just closed, and it will surely cause you very

much satisfaction to learn, that between the 2-2d of January and this
morning, I have sold 1084 copies to a most goodly number of pifl'chasers,
perhaps 700. They were sold at a franc each, nearly or something more
than cost price. Had the French copies been of the version of Ostervald,
the only version used in the pubhc schools of this canton, it is probable
that five hundred more copies would have been now sold."

In the beginning of April, Mr. Graydon proceeded to the
city of Berne, where, as will be seen by the following extracts,
he was gladdened and cheered by further tokens of success.

" On the 2d instant, I left Neuchatel in my httle bag-gage-van, charged
with 1487 copies of the New Testament, 747 of which were in Gennan,
638 in French, and the rest in Italian and English. I arrived here safe
on the same evening. At four o'clock the next day, I commenced the

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 477

sale in the principal hotel. The news of the sale soon spread through the EUROPE,
town, and by eig-ht o'clock I had sold about '200 copies. On the Monday ^ —
following, I sold nearly 800, but on Tuesday the sale became less animated, 1^829-34
my German copies without Psalms being exhausted ; and yesterday, I sold —

the last of those with Psalms, and had to send to the Dissenting Minister Sect. I.

for any copies he might have by him. He had but twenty-one. They

went off instantly. Ever since, up to this very moment, the demand is Switzer-
most fully sustained, but, alas ! not a copy in German to sell, since last ''^°'^*
evening. I have yet about 200 in French remaining ; they are diminish-
ing gradually. All my EngHsh and ItaHan soon went. In vain
should I attempt to describe the deeply-interesting sensation the blessed
work created in all ranks of society, — rich and poor, young and old,
flowing in, in one unceasing' file ; parents purchasing for their children —
all filled with joy, and very many expressing the most hearty thanks to
the Society for thinking ' so opportunely ' of them."

Three thousand three hundred and fifty-three copies in the
whole, were thus quickly disposed of, in French, German,
Italian, and English. A second sale took place in Berne,
when, in a few days, 1200 more copies were disposed of.

The canton of Argovia was visited by Mr. Graydon, who Canton of
was repeatedly admonished of the dangers that would in all ^'■g°^'*-
probability attend his mission ; but he writes —

" I hired a stand in the very centre of the fair, which was greatly
crowded, and had scarcely opened a case of New Testaments, when most
willing purchasers presented themselves. In the course of the day, from
two to three hundred copies were purchased at my unvarying price of
one French franc. The following day the fair ended at noon ; one
hundred and fifty more copies were disposed of. Several persons appeared
to be very glad, and made many remarks on the very g-reat need and sea-
sonableness of the work there, and in the canton. The purchasers ap-
peared to be wholly composed of the middling and lower classes.

He next proceeded to the celebrated baths of Schinznach,
where he was enabled to dispose of 70 copies ; and a few days
afterwards, he took his place at a fair in the small town of
Zofingen, where, in one day, he sold nearly 400 copies. On
his way back to Berne, be arrived at the large town of Bourg-
dorf, where the keeper of the hotel offered to send a little girl,
only twelve years old, from house to house, with copies to sell.
In the course of two hours, during which Mr. Graydon had to
remain, this little one sold above thirty copies, and the hotel-
keeper, a widow, volunteered cheerfully to take charge of some
copies to dispose of as might be required. The result of this

478 HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE, short journey was a sale of 857 copies, and '289 placed in a

ChapTiii. ^^y ^^ secure their speedy purchase.*
1829-54. His next visit was to Lugano, where, however, he did not
Sect! I. meet with the same kind of encouragement, but was obliged
Central, ^q content himself with leaving some copies in depot. He
Switzer- afterwards proceeded to Lausanne. An account of his pro-
Tsis ceedings there is here given.

" I left Lug-ano with nearly 1200 copies of the New Testament, chiefly
in French. I arrived at Lausiuine the same night. The next and the
T following- days were passed in visiting- some Christian friends, and listen-

ing- to their opinions and advice. They appeared to be all of one accord,
that nothuig- but hons kept the city by night and by day, .... vexa-
tion and disappointment would be my lot, with, perhaps, renewed obloquy
and vexation to themselves. But, blessed be the Lord, whose pecuhar pro-
vince it is both to curb the wicked, to set bounds to the troubled sea, and
to shut and keep shut the hon's mouth, never, perhaps, were forebodings
and conclusions less realized. On the mormng- of the fair, I waited on
the proper civil authority to obtain permission to sell my copies in the fair.
At first he hesitated, then consented to grant it me for that day only (the
fair began on a Saturday, and was to continue during the Monday and
Tuesday following), saying, ' That disagreeable circumstances might
occur,' &c. ; but he finally consented to grant me one for the entire fair,
' as a bookseller to sell my merchandize.' Shortly after ten o'clock I
was installed in a booth in the very centre of the fair, and sold a copy
almost immediately to a very poor man. The morning being very
cold, the sale became brisk only about noon, and then numbers of the
Lord's professing people came flocking in, thus necessarily attracting
the attention of the most indifferent. In the following three hours I sold
340 New Testaments in French, German, Italian, and English ! During
the day, pot even a sj'mptom of ill-will did I perceive in the mass of evi-
dently wondermg human beings around— quite the contrary : expressions
of joy and gratitude to the Lord were continually to be heard. The day
soon closed in, but the sale was continued at the hotel. On the following
Monday I re-opened the sale in the fair, and in the course of the day
disposed of nearly 700 copies, to five hundred or more individuals of the
middhng classes, students, servants, and school- directors ; and on the next
and last day of the fair, all my remaining co])ies in French, Italian, and
English, were disposed of, by one o'clock in the afternoon, mostly to the
heads of schools. UiDwards of 1100 had thus been purchased most cheer-
fullj', at my ever-unvarying price of one French franc. Under the
impression, from the first day, that more copies would be required, I had

* In Appendix II. Note E, will be fomid a further account of some of
his proceedings about this time.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY.

479

Chap. III.
1829-54.

Sect. I.
Central.

Switzer-
land.
1845.

written to the depot at Berne for a case containin^g nearly 1000 copies. EUROPE
I received it late on Wednesday evening-, and was thus enabled to con-
tinue the sale in the hotel until late in the evening of Saturday, disposing'
of, in all, 1607 copies. The civil officer with whom I had to do, and who
throughout conducted himself towards me in even a most Christian man-
ner, objected to my continuing the sale in the hotel, unless I took out a
permission to dwell in the canton, and at Lausamie ; but this I declined
doing. He then permitted the continuation of the sale in the hotel during
the two last days, on my assuring him that I did so, merely to enable
many i^ersons and mniisters throughout the canton to obtain the copies
they wished for, from several of whom I had received letters on the sub-
ject. In the mean time, Madame Bachoifner, of the Hotel Gibbon, most
kindly offered to take charge of the sale, and of a depot, imtil the end of
March, free of all expense. From the very first, she was most useful and
zealous in the blessed work. She sold 200 copies in her own apartment,
while I was selling in mine. I very gladly availed myself of her most op-
portune offer, leaving in her hands 1700 copies that I had sent for, many
of which she was selling at the very moment I was quitting for Berne."

In a subsequent letter he writes —

" Since my visit to Lausamie, the sale there has continued to prosper.
Madame Bachoffner, who so kindly offered to take charge of a depot,
has sold, in the fohowing six weeks, 1203 copies, and has remitted to me
the proceeds."

By the close of the year, there had been a pretty wide dis-
semination, of more than 13,000 copies of the New Testament,
paid for most cheeri'ully by every one.

One extract more will show the result of a visit to Zurich.

" I opened the sale in my room in the inn ; and, in the course of the
first day, sold 205 copies; on the second, 295; and on the third— Satur-
day— 2G5. On Sunday many persons called, but although it might have
been ' good' to supply them under other circumstances, I thought it most
becoming to refuse. On Monday, and rather early in the morning, these
persons called. In the course of the day I sold 220 copies ; and durmg
the next day almost as many more ; so that, in all, about 1200 copies
have been most cheerfully purchased by servants, students, children, by a
very few of the higher classes, and by still less, apparently, of the work-
ins: classes."

Zurich.

Switzerland, like other parts of the Continent, it is well
known, became, in the years 1847-48, the scene of great politi-
cal ferment and agitation. This, as might be expected, some-
what interfered with the labours of Lieutenant Gray don. Still
he was actively employed during the year, and the results,

480

HISTORY OF THE

Chap. III.
1829-54.

Sect. I.
Central.

Switzer-
land.
1848.

Geneva.

EUROPE, taking into account all circumstances, were truly surprising
and gratifying. Not only did his sales continue in most of the
principal places previously visited, but even in Geneva and in
Basle, cities so distinguished for their Biblical and Missionary
efforts, he found new openings and unexpected encourage-
ment. The sales of the year exceeded 14,000 copies, and the
returns amounted to above 15,000 francs.

The following is an abstract of Mr. Graydon's proceedings
at Geneva, where, after obtaining the necessary permission, he
commenced a sale, having previously inserted advertisements
in the principal papers. So little was anticipated, that one of
the most celebrated and consistent friends of the cause at Ge-
neva, predicted that he would not sell three copies.

" During- the Sunday," writes Mr. Grajdon, " many were the demands
for cojDies : they were refused. I had opened this sale in the principal
hotel of the town : it was the most central, the room I occupied most con-
venient, and the only hotel in which there was a room to let. On Monday
the sale commenced. In the six days, 819 copies were purchased,' by
certainly more than 600 individuals. On the following- Monday, 143
more; and successively, 89, 99, 135, 110 : on the last day I was obliged to
deliver up the shop to a person who had hired it for a year."

The next is not less important : it relates to his visit to Basle.

'' Having- obtained my licence for the fair, to which the authorities
strictly bound me, the day previous to its opening- 1 paid a friendly visit
to the Rev. Antistes Burcklrnrdt, the President of the Basle Bible Society,
and also to the Eev. Archdeacon Linder, who received me verj^ kindly,
and wished me good success. I know not that ever I felt a greater weight
or oppression in this blessed work, than I did at Basle the evening previous
to opening a sale. I had come there with more than 2000 copies. ....

" At half-past eight next morning I opened my sale in a pretty com-
fortable booth, close to the door of the cathedral, and to that of the house
of the Antistes. I was aided by a young man, a Missionary student. At
dusk I closed, having sold 80 copies. Each day, during thirteen suc-
cessive days, the average sale was 172 copies : on four days it was nearly
250 each, almost every one of which passed through an ordeal of exami-
nation by the purchasers, the most fatiguing and harassing to the vendors
that can well be conceived. Only one person purchased as many as ten
copies. Persons of all ages and classes purchased. On the sixth day I
began to fear that I should need more copies, and so wrote to Zurich to
have two cases, or 1100 copies, sent me. During the thirteenth day thei-e
were sold 100 copies more to about as many individuals, making in all^
more than 3200 copies disposed of at a fair, at the commencement of
which I felt troubled beyond measure, for having brought to it not so

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 481

many by 1000 : indeed I blessed the Lord with all my heart, and gloried EUROPE.

only in His name." —

Chap. III.
The total distributions of Mr. Graydon in Switzerland up 1829-54.

to this time, very mvich the result of personal exertion, and Hect. I.

attended with many difficulties, amounted to 25,694 copies. Central.

Lieutenant Graydon was continuing unwearledly to pursue
his labours in Switzerland, though not with success equal to ^^J^'
that he met with in the earlier years ; when a new scene of
effort and usefulness opened before him, and he was not slow
to enter upon it. The political agitations of 1848 — that year Brief era
of revolutions — had extended to Italy, and gave, for a time, Revolu-
the prospect of enlarged freedom of thought and action. Mr. *^°°'
Graydon, seizing the opportunity, fearlessly crossed the bor-
ders, and visited the principal cities of Lombardy and Pied-
mont ; bearing with him, or causing to be conveyed to different
towns to meet him, large supplies of the Scriptures, chiefly
Italian, in the sale of which he proceeded by public advertise-
ment.

At Milan, whither he had forwarded above 5000 copies, Introduc-
the advertisement inviting purchasers appeared, and the sale Scriptures
began at nine on the following morning. But few copies, how- ^ ^^^•
ever, were sold as the result of this first attempt ; for in the first at Milan;
place, a handbill — " a word of warning" — was posted over the
whole city ; and in the next, the public mind was wholly en-
grossed with the war, which did not progress in favour of
liberty; this being the very time when a battle, which lasted
during three days, ultimately turned in favour of Austria. Mr.
Graydon, after selling nearly 150 copies himself, found a suit-
able person to take charge of the remainder. This person car-
ried forward the sales with considerable success, regularly
lodging the proceeds, which soon amounted to a goodly sum,
at the banker's.

At Turin his reception was much more encouraging. He

advertised his arrival, and within two hours after his sale was , ,
, . , and at

opened, several copies were disposed of; and during his short Turin,
residence of a few days, his sales amounted to 1004 copies.
He wi-ites —

" These copies were purchased most gladly by from six to seven hun-
dred persons at least, consisting of numerous priests, a few monks, and a
I I

482

IIISTOTIY OF THE

EUROPE.

Chap. III.
1829-54.

Sect. I.

CE^TRAL.

Italy.

ifya.

Genoa.

Revolu-
tionary
struggle.

Nice.

large majority of lay persons. Not an unkind observation from any one,
but much politeness from some individuals of the hierarchy. Such a
scene as my little sale-room presented, my poor pen could not describe. I
had to remain in it from eight in the morning to the same hour in the
evening. It was continually full during the first four days."

Shortly after he left this city, the war again broke out.
Who can sufficiently admire the ways of Divine Providence, in
having permitted him to make this visit to such a city at such
a juncture ? He left a goodly supply behind, in the hands of
persons who afforded a fair promise of distributing them
well.

From Turin, Mr. Graydon proceeded to Genoa, and his
description of what he was enabled to do there, may be given
in his own words.

" I reached Genoa on the 27th of March, and on the 30th, after almost
endless running about, I had the satisfaction of receiving into my room
in the hotel four cases of Bibles and Testaments, in four languages, and
the next evenmg my advertisement of a sale was to have appeared. I
was wholly unconscious of the great political event that was to be brought
about here the very next day. Some of the prelimmaries to this event,
prevented the printing of my advertisement, and of many others. It did,
however, come out on the following Tuesday evening. Immediately
after, one copy was purchased, and the next day by noon, forty-four copies
more. At that hour a fearful panic seemed to seize every one, and to
consign all persons to their homes, except armed men, who, hke so many
wild and undisciplined being-s, were to be seen flying along in all direc-
tions ; and towards evening- they began making use of their arms. Hav-
ing once opened a sale, I felt that I ought neither to stop it, nor flee for
safety on board one of our men-of-war l^'ing in the harbour. I thought,
also, it might be the Lord's good pleasure so far to sanctify His visitation
to the city, as to mduce some poor souls to purchase. The next day, how-
ever, the firing- of shot, shells, and musquetry, throughout the entire day,
became so serious and appalling to evei-y one, and such was the stream of
fugitives to get on board every kind of vessel in the port, that only six
wearied and frightened persons came and purchased. Two days after,
the Lord in His mercy conceded victory to the royal troops. On each
day since, some copies have been cheerfully purchased. It has gone on
increasing day by day; so that, in all, 140 copies were purchased. On
Saturday evening, I had the very great pleasure of confiding a depot
of 1000 copies to the son of the hotel-keeper, who very gladly offered to
take charge of it gratis.

At Nice, under similar circumstances, Mr. Graydon sold
200 copies.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 483

In the mean time, measures were in progress in other quar- EUROPE,
ters for the benefit of Italy. CiiapTiii.

Dr. Pinkerton was at this time instructed to visit Geneva, 1829-54.
where, after conference with the friends of Bible distribution sect. I.
in that city, he succeeded in forming an Italian-Swiss Bible Centrai-.
Committee, for the dissemination of the Scriptures alone ; the Italy,
field of whose labours was to comprise, and be restricted to
the countries of Savoy, Piedmont, and Lombardy, and the Italian-
Swiss Cantons of Geneva, Vaud, Le Vallais, Fribourg, the mittee.
Grisons, and Tessin.

A preparatory Mission was resolved upon, in order to dis-
cover and open the best way for introducing the word of God
into the above-mentioned countries. The operations were to
be carried on by means of colportage or otherwise, and the
whole expense of the work, to be defrayed by the British Bible
Society. A beginning was immediately made, by the employ-
ment of one Colporteur. The progress of the undertaking
will be subsequently noticed.

The Society had several valued friends residing in Italy,

and these, also, now became engaged in a variety of important

measures for its benefit. Two small Bible Societies were

formed, auxiliary to the British and Foreign Bible Society, at

T-, , -1 1 1 PT 1 • -, 1 \ Editionsof

h lorence, and at the baths oi JLucca ; designed, however, only Scriptures

to collect subscriptions in support of the Society. Measures ^^ ^^°" ,
^ . . , "^ rence and

were subsequently taken for prmting, in Italy itself, several Rome.

editions of the New Testament, in different places at the same

time. One, of 3000 copies of Martini, speedily left the press at

Florence, and another of Diodati, consisting of 4000 copies,

was printed at Rome. An edition of 3000 copies of Diodati

was printed at Pisa. Large supplies w^ere also applied for,

to be sent from London. The following account, from the pen

of a zealous and active correspondent,* will give an idea of the

prompt exertions made to take advantage of this promising

opening : — •

"Your Committee will, I entertain the confident hoi^e, order the imme-
diate shipment of 500 Italian Bibles, Diodati, if possible, by a steam-,
vessel for this port; the same number, even if shipped at the same
time, on board of another vessel ; and a third similar number on board

* Captain, now Admiral Pakenham.
I I 2

Sect. I.
Central

484 HISTORY OF THE

EIJKOPE. of the next following vessel; thus making up 1500 copies. To these
— may be added 500 New Testaments, also Diodati, but not more, as the

18''9-54 ' ^"^^'1* ^t Florence, interested in th^ publication of an edition of Martini,
will of course circulate only that edition for the present. Should no de-
cided alteration take place in the aspect of Italian affairs, 500 copies of
the Bible, Diodati, will be required to be sent regularly every three
Italy. months, to meet the ordinary demands on this depot ; and even then, I
1848. entertain the fervent hope, that it may become necessary for me to make
Urseiit an- applications for other grants to meet extraordinary calls. An order has
plications been received Ji'Oin a Jeio for 400 copies, Diodati, which I am not able
for supplies fu^y iq complete : these are for the Roman territories. You will rejoice
Scriptures. *^ hear, that thirty-six copies of the same Bible have been recently sold to
young students of the University of Pisa.

" As there now exists almost the certainty of war in this country, which
here is hkely to be accompanied by the greatest anarchy, it is of the utmost
importance that I should have it in my power to take advantage of such a
state of thmgs, by depositing in the interior a considerable number of
Bibles, so that, should the former state of tilings be restored, the supply
may not be immediately cut oif."

The Society's Agent at Malta also wrote as follows : —

" My last to you was dated on the 14th mstant (June), and I now write
to state what has transpired since then. On the 15th we had an applica-
tion, on the part of a person in Messina, to purchase 1000 copies of Dio-
dati's Bible. On the 16th another, for several hundreds to be sent to Italy ;
and on the 17th, for 2000 more for the same object. All these applica-
tions were from different persons ; and it is remarkable that these requisi-
tions are made while hostilities continue to prevail. The citadel of Messina
is at present bombarded by the Sicilians, and defended by the Neapolitan
troops who are Avithin. We require, as far as appearances go, 5000 at
least, but 10,000 would be preferable. And in consideration of the press-
ing want, I hope the Committee will see it right not to wait for a sailing
vessel, for this may lead to a delay of months, but send them at once by
steam from Southampton, in which case we may hope to have the books
in Malta in six weeks from the date of this ; and six weeks is a long time
to wait at the present crisis."

The Committee were not prepared for such extraordinary de-
mands for Italy. Large editions, however, both of Bibles and
Testaments, were immediately put to press.

But before a year had passed round, a dark cloud came over
the hopes and labours of the Society in Italy.

Lieutenant Graydon was driven successively from Turin,
Genoa, and Nice, by the approach of contending armies. In each
of these places he had, indeed, succeeded in effecting a con-

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 485

siderable sale, and in establishing depots, from which books EUEOPE.
might be issued after he had left, and from which very con- ChapTiii.
siderable numbers were sent forth. 1829-54.

At Turin, the demand for the Scriptures had been sin- Sect. I.
gularly encouraging, and a Colporteur, employed in the neigh- ^^'^^^a^-
bourhood, sold, in about two months, nearly 500 copies, the Italy,
people manifesting great eagerness to possess themselves of the
Sacred Volume ; when the bishop of the diocese interfered, and
the Colporteur was arrested, his copies taken from him, and,
after some judicial routine, he was ordered to return to his
place of residence until the Minister of the Interior, at Turin,
should pronounce a judgment concerning what he had been
doing.

A Circular of the Archbishop of Saluzzo, addressed to his Opposition
clergy, warned them of the danger to be apprehended from Ro'^anist
the versions and labours of Bible Societies, and reminded them priesthood,
of the prohibitions of the Council of Trent, and of several
different Popes ;* after this, the Government of Turin took
measures to prevent the public sale of the Holy Scriptures
throughout the kingdom.

Mr. Graydon, however, w'as not deterred from paying a

second visit to Lombardy. He was granted six months' leave _

~ oecond

to reside in Milan, (the city being still in a state of siege,) and visit of

several cases of books were allowed to pass the Custom House ; Qlf"*?"^"'

but his petition for a bookseller's licence was refused, nor was to Lom-

he permitted in any way to advertise a sale. His personal '^"^^'

efforts to circulate the Scriptures being thus prevented, he was

happy to avail himself of the services of a number of persons,

who quickly found a sale for his books at a considerable profit

to themselves ; and thus, before ]\Ir. Graydon left the city, a

large part of his stock had been disposed of ; and the Society

had great reason to rejoice in the fact, that IMr. Graydon's two

visits to Italy had resulted in the circulation, principally by

sale, of at least 12,000 volumes of the Sacred Scriptures.

In Tuscany and the Papal States, through the mysterious

dispensations of Divine Providence, a barker spectacle was

presented, of blighted prospects and suspended hope. The

political revolutions which took place in those countries, again

* For extract from this Circular, see Beport for 1850.

48 G

HTSTORT OF THE

EUROPE.

Chap. III.
1829-54.

Sect I.
Central.

Italy.
1849.

Letter of
the Pope.

Seizure of
Scriptures
at Flo-
rence.

gave ascendancy to that Church, wliich has ever shown itself
averse to the free circulation of the Scriptures. Four thou-
sand copies of the Italian Testament had been printed, and
were in course of binding at Rome, when that city became
invested by the French. These books were placed in the
custody of the American Consul, who very kindly undertook
the charge of them. On the Pope's return, they were, after
much correspondence, given up to the authorities, but not until
their full cost had been paid by the Papal Government.

In the December of 1849, Pope Pius IX., from his tem-
porary retreat in the Neapolitan dominions, had addressed an
Encyclical Letter to the Archbishops and Bishops of Italy, in
Avhich, confirming his former acts, and treading in the foot-
steps of his predecessors, he reiterated his condemnation of
Bible Societies,* and went far to represent the Bible itself,
translated into the vulgar tongue, and without comments,
as almost as much to be dreaded as profane works and lying-
journals.

After such falminations from the highest authority in the
Romish Church, it is not surprising, that the officials of
the restored Tuscan Government were instigated to adopt
prompt measures to stay the work that was commencing
with so much promise in that territory. Three thousand
copies of Martini's New Testament, just printed at Florence,
though the translation of one of their own Archbishops, were
quickly seized and locked up ; the presses, in which other edi-
tions were hi progress, were forcibly stopped, the paper and even
the type carried off; the printers subjected to a civil pro-
cess ; and the British officer, who had distinguished himself by
his zeal in promoting this and similar objects of benevolence,
was, with his family, banished the country at a few days' notice.
Measures were taken to obtain redress, but without success.

Could the Society regret the steps that had been taken to im-
prove these openings, while they existed, in the Italian domi-
nions, and to provide for future supplies ? Surely not : for
though considerable Expense was incurred, and more copies of
the Scriptures were printed than were at the time available, yet
a goodly number found their way into the hands of the people ;
* For an extract of this document, see Report for 1850.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 487

and the avidity with which they were received and bought by EUROPE,
all classes, left the Society full of confidence that the ob- chap~III
struction would be but temporary, and that the wave of 1829-54.
Biblical truth would yet, by God's favour, spread over and se^. I.
fertilize the plains of Italy. Centkai,.

That this confidence was not altogether illusory, subsequent Switzer-
8 vents hastened to show. jg^j*_

It may be here remarked, that the attention of Lieutenant
Graydon being now chiefly directed to Italy, his proceed-
ings in connection with Switzerland necessarily became more
limited : he was no longer at liberty to pursue the course for-
merly adopted by him, in extensively visiting cities and fairs,
and personally superintending the sale of the Scriptures. Still
his issues, from eleven depots under his charge in Switzerland,
amounted, in the year ending March 31, 1851, to above 6000
copies.

The Italian-Swiss Committee at Geneva dropped, at this
time, that part of their title which related to Italy ; it having
been considered better that their labours should, for a time at j^^^^^e'^^^
least, be restricted to the Swiss Cantons. Under their aus- Swiss
pices, might now be seen, in some of the least frequented
pai'ts of that romantic and beautiful country, the Bible Col-
porteur, when the snow permitted, getting up into the highest
summit of the mountains, or penetrating into the valleys ; some-
times, with the precious charge on his back, climbing on his
hands and knees over the peaks, and along deep and frightful
precipices. It was the love of the Bible, that prompted to
these arduous and self-denying endeavours to disseminate it.
Nor was the labour lost. Many a dreary dwelling was cheered,
many a desolate lieart comforted, and many an humble be-
liever filled with unspeakable joy. The Geneva Committee
disposed of 3594 copies of the Scriptures, from November
1848 to the end of December 1850.

The work of the Society in Italy, during the year under
review, was chiefly confined to the Northern parts of it — Piedmont.
Piedmont and Lombardy. At Milan, the authorities (more
especially the military authorities, for Lombardy was then
under martial law,) allowed the introduction of the Scriptures;
and 8914 copies were disposed of, principally through the

488 HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE, medium of the booksellers, who obtained for them a very rapid
Chap~III sale; which, however. Lieutenant Gray don had no doubt,
1829-54. would have been much larger, could permission have been
Sect. I. gained publicly to advertise his books.

Central. The light in which the work was viewed by the eccle-
Italy. siastical authorities, may be gathered from a document issued
^^^^- by the Archbishop of Milan, and seven of his Bishops.* It
was quite in accordance with other documents, already alluded
to, put forth by the Romish hierarchy, and by the Pope him-
self ; and to it, may be confidently referred those who have
any doubt, as to whether the chief hindrance to the free circu-
lation of the Holy Scriptures comes from Rome. The re-
strictions imposed on the reading of the Bible amount to a
practical prohibition of it ; whilst it is conceded that the princi-
pal fear arises from the book being used in the vulgar tongue,
the only form in which it is intelligible to the people.

In the face of such opposition, it was no small thing to be
able to speak of 11,251 copies of the Scriptures, disposed of in
Lombardy, and the Sardinian territories, during the year.

1851. In October 1851, Lieutenant Graydon, whose services,
hitherto, had been acknowledged only by a periodical gratuity,
was, on the recommendation of several of the Society's warm
friends in Italy, enrolled as a regular Agent; his attention
being still chiefly directed to Switzerland and Northern
Italy.

Labour.? of It is but justice, here, to advert to the persevering and dis-
General tinguished efforts of Major-General Beckwith, to supply the
Beckwith. inhabitants of the Vaudois Valleys with the Sacred Scriptures.
For many years he lived chiefly among them, devoting himself
to this and other objects for their good. At his mstance,
editions of the New Testament, or portions of the Bible, were
printed in Italian and Piedmontese ; and during this year he
remitted above £95, for Italian and Piedmontese Scriptures,
circulated by him among the Waldensian Churches ; and a
fresh edition of 2500 copies of Genesis and Luke, was ordered
to be printed and placed at his disposal.

1852. Iri the course of the summer of 1852, Mr. Graydon visited
Bergamo, Brescia, Verona, Vicenza, and Venice. He then

* This document is given at leng-th in the Report for 1851.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 489

proceeded to Milan, where lie took measures for continuing EUROPE.
the sale of the Scriptures ; and afterwards to Genoa, Nice, ChapTiii.
Turin, Chamber j; at which last place, his operations were cut 1829-54.
short by the mterference of the police, though he himself Sect. I.
suffered no personal inconvenience. It is a gratifying fact. Central.
that his total issues in Lombardy now amounted to 15,000 Italy,
copies, while those in the kingdom of Sardinia had reached
to 12,000 copies, of which 7000 had been sold from the depot
at Turin.

After completing his visit to Italy, Mr. Graydon proceeded Switzer-
to resume his work in Switzerland, of which he gives the ^^°'^-
following account : —

" The distribution, both by sale and gift, of the Bible and Testament, Depots for
has increased nearly twofold over what it was in 1851. I will begin by the sale of
informing you, that, whilst I was making a tour, with 1 500 coijies in my Scriptures,
travelUug van, and, finally, was enabled to disseminate them all ; my
dejiot-keeper at St. Gall succeeded in meeting with a most zealous Col-
porteur, and sent him from house to house in the immediate districts of
that town itself, and along the Swiss side of the Lake of Constance, and gj^ QaU,
of the Rhine, at its issue from the lake. In the course of six weeks he
found purchasers for above 300 copies, amongst both Protestants and
Romanists. The depot at St. Gall is under the gratuitous charge of
an humble but Christian man, who has disseminated nearly 600 copies
in the course of the past year. The depot at Neuchatel has been, how-
ever, the most prosperous of all : the jierson in charg-e of it has suc-
ceeded in establishing in that Canton a dozen small depots, through
which she has disseminated, in the course of the past year, 1400 and »t , , ,
more copies. She is of humble birth and profession, and, with her aged
parents, works for her daily maintenance. They have had charge of a
depot during the last seven years, and have disseminated more than
7000 copies in that time ; yet never would they hear of any other recom-
pense or remuneration, than the satisfaction and joy of labouring in their
own little corner of the Lord's great vineyard. The depot at Geneva is
also most serviceable, from its position in the market thoroughfare, and
the occupation of the two sisters, who have gratuitously taken charge of it
during five or six years : they have had much success vouchsafed to their
devotedness.

" As in former years, the depot at the Gibbon Hotel, in Lausanne, has
marvellously prospered, especially when the increasing success of the
Lausanne Bible Society is taken into consideration ; but, indeed, all my ^^^"•'^^.nue.
little depots have had, during the past year, a measure of increase in
their success, excepting in Lugano and Coire. But the most remarkable
feature in the work of dissemination last year respects Lucerne, wliich is
the centre of Swiss Papistry. Tlie civil power refused me permission, in ^'^^6''°®'

490

HISTORY OF THE

Chap. Ill
1829-54.

Sect. I.
Central.

Switzer-
land.
1«54.

EUROPE. October, to open a sale in the great fair : I was therefore oblig-ed to con-
fide 450 copies, tliat I had prepared for it, to the depot tliat I have had
there ever since 1848. The person in charg-e of it was exhorted to try
and make it known. He did so. By the end of the following month he
had to write to me, ' earnestly entreating for another supply of at least 500
copies of Kistemaker's Testament ! '

" It frequentlj^ occurs to me how providential it was, that in 1845, just
two or three years preceding* the great changes and contests amongst the
inhabitants, the Committee in Earl Street determined on trying to do
something extra for Switzerland. Since then, it has pleased the Lord to
give a goodly success to that determination, by the sale, or distribution other-
wise, of almost 60,000 copies of Bibles and Testaments, to say nothing of the
sales and distributions made by the old Cantonal Societies. The sales last
year amounted to more than 8000 copies.

The issues of Lieutenant Graydon, during the Jubilee year,
ending March 1854, amounted to 15,936 copies. Of these,
8073 copies were circulated in Lombardy and Piedmont; mak-
ing the total number which had passed through his hands, for
the benefit of these parts of Italy, since 1848, now to amount to
upwards of 35,000 copies. His issues in Switzerland during
the year were 7863 copies ; bringing up the total number dis-
pensed by him, from the commencement of his work in that
country, to 67,863 copies.

The work in Italy had been carried on, as in previous years,
in the face of many hindrances: some of these had to be
encountered in introducing the Scriptures through the regular
authorized channels into the country; others were found to
attend on every attempt to bring them into circulation. The
result, as given above, was, however, on the whole, very grati-
fying, and afforded much cause for praise to' God.

Mr. Graydon mentions the following interesting circum-
stances, as connected with the issues of the year : —

" The sales in the depot at Turin have nearly doubled in the course of
the last year. Many copies also have been colported throughout almost
the whole land : the persons who colported them have everywhere been
very well received, and but for the marvellous state of ignorance of read-
ing, in which a large portion of the people have been brought up, the
Society would have found it difficult to meet the demand.

" The far-famed parishes of the Waldensian Church, fifteen in number,
are well supplied with Bibles, and every possible care is being constantly
taken, that they should continue to be supjilied, according to both their
wants, and means to procure copies.

Total of
issues in
Italy and
Switzer-
land.

BEITISn AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 491

" Savoy also possesses now an amply supplied depot of Bibles. For EUROPE.
the fifth time has the Society's Agent had the privilege of getting copies —

in a regular way into that poverty-stricken country." 18^9-54

A fresh "Pastoral"* was put forth this year by the Arch- ^^~ j
bishop of Milan ; but these missives had been too often repeated Central.
to be productive ofany great result. They indicated, however, itaiy.
in no indecisive manner, the reality and success of the work op- ^^^'*-
posed, and thus became an encouraging motive to increased
diligence and hope.

The Jubilee year afforded no special opportunities for exer- Distribu-
cising the benevolence of the Society, either on behalf of Italy s°°ip^tures
or Switzerland ; but the events of the war with Russia, then to the
raging, led to an unexpected and very gratifying opening for troops in
the distribution of the Scriptures among the Sardinian troops, the Crimea.
who, towards the end of the campaign, were brought into the
scene of action. Several thousand copies were introduced
among them, while on shipboard, or when serving in the
Crimea ; and in Piedmont itself the circulation considerably
advanced : but these, and other gratifying events, land us in a
period of the Society's history, beyond the limits assigned to
the present narrative.

* See cofj of it in Report for 1854.

492

HISTORY OF THE

SECTION 11.

NORTHERN EUROPE.

EUROPE.

Chap. III.
1829-54.

Sect. II.
Northern.

Denmark.

Copenha-
gen Bible
Society re-
laxes in its
co-opera-
tion.

Friendly
communi-
cations
kept up by
individuals.

1829—1854.

Denmark. — Cope?ihaf/en Bible Society. — Visit of Dr. Henderson.
— Agencies at Ckristiania nnclBergen. — Sweden — Visits of Hon.
Mr. Shore and Dr. Paterson. — Distribution of Scriptures
at Skara and Carlstadt. — Colportage at Stockholm. — Patron-
age of the King of Siceden. — Summary of Bible cijxulation in
Sweden. — Russian Protestant Bible Society — Prince Lieven,
Patron. — Labours of Rev. R. Knill at St. Petersburgh. — Sibe-
ria— Efforts of Rev. Blessrs. Sican and Stallybrass. — 3Iission
interdicted. — Blantchou version of New Testament. — Finland.
— Rev. Mr. Ellerbys Agency at St. Petersburgh. — Odessa —
Efforts of Mr. Melville. — Karaite Jews in the Crimea. — Re-
view of Operatio7is in Russia by Mr. Ellerby.

It now remains for us to review the later operations of the
Society in the Northern part of Europe.

Denmark. — The Danish Society at Copenhagen, and the
Sleswick-Holstein Bible Society, continued, throughout the
whole of this period, to send regularly a report of their pro-
ceedings, accompanied from time to time with communications
expressive of friendly regard ; and, on occasion of the Society's
Jubilee, a respectful congratulatory memorial, signed by the
President and principal officers of the Danish Society, was
formally transmitted; but, after 1830, for reasons already as-
signed, springing out of the Apocrypha controversy, direct co-
operation between the Societies had in a great measure ceased.
The Rev. Mr. Rontgen, however, a Moravian Clergyman of
Christiansfeld, kept up an active correspondence with the
Society, and received constant supplies of the Scriptures up to
the year 1851 ; when he removed to Konigsberg, and was sue-

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 493

-ceeded bj the Rev. Mr. Wied, also a minister of the Moravian EUROPE.
Church, on whom the office of corresponding with the Society cn\p~III.
then devolved. 1829-54.*

Mr. Reiche, an advocate of Sleswick, also kept up a dis- Sect. II.
tinct and active agency, being from time to time furnished ^o^th^i^n
with considerable supplies, which he lost no opportunity of Denmark,
bringing into circulation. The work of this Agency was sus- ^^'^^'
pended in 1849, at which period Mr. Reiche, owing to the
changes and troubles of the times, was driven away from his
post.

Denmark was visited by Dr. Henderson in the year 1843, visit of
though without any particular result, as regarded a renewal of D'"- H®^"
any intimate relations between the two Societies ; but a visit
made to Copenhagen, since the period at which this history
closes, by Mr. Knolleke, Assistant Foreign Secretary of the
British and Foreign Society, has opened the prospect of a re-
newed co-operation, without violence to any of those principles
and regulations, which tended for so long a time to keep the
two Societies apart.

NoR^VAY.— In 1831, the Hon. C. J. Shore (now Lord Telgn- Norway,
mouth) paid a visit to Sweden and Norway, a very interesting
account of which is inserted in the Society's Report for 1832.
In Norway, he found the cause of the Bible Society by no ^^^ ^ j
means prospering. The Norwegian Bible Society in Chris- Sliore,
tiania had, indeed, just completed an edition of 10,000 Testa- '

ments ; but its Committee chiefly confined themselves to meet-
ing demands when communicated to them. In Bergen there
was no Society ; and in Dronthelm the Society had become
almost extinct. Still the Bible, and especially the New Testa-
ment separately, Avere much needed ; while no obstacle to a
complete distribution of the Scriptures, arising either from the
inability or unwillingness of the people, existed. Mr. Shore
drew attention to the desirableness of printing the Scriptures
in the countries themselves — a measure afterwards extensively
acted upon In both the above-named countries.

In the following year, Dr. Paterson was encouraged to fol- and of Dr.
low in the steps of Mr. Shore, with a view of putting into exe- ^1832"'
cution some of the suggestions and recommendations of the
latter gentleman. In Christianla, Dr. Paterson met with a most

494

HISTORY OF THE

EUKOPE.

Chap. III.
1829-54.

Sect. II,

NOKTUERN.

Norway.
1831.

Agencies
established.

Review of
Scripture
circulation
in Norway.

friendly reception, and he found in the Norwegian Society a
growing disposition to more exertion. He succeeded in re-
forming or establishing Agencies, in direct connection with the
Society in London, at Christiania, Drontheim, Bergen, Sta-
vanger, and Christiansand. At Christiania, he made arrange-
ments for printing successive editions of Bibles and Testaments,
as they might be wanted.

The several Agencies thus constituted, have persevered in
their labours, with more or less activity, up to the present
time.

An interesting review of the Bible Society's work in Norway
was furnished, at the period of the Jubilee, by the Agency at
Christiania, from which the following extracts are taken : —

" Our country has had the happiness of partaking in your
bounty : for a number of years your helping hand has been
extended to us, and has given the Holy Bible even to the in-
habitants of the far north. For though the Norwegian Bible
Society was established in '18 16, still from the first moment of
its existence it was so powerfully supported by the British and
Foreign Bible Society, that the operations of the latter in this
country may justly be said to have commenced from the same
period. Its direct and independent activity, however, did not
take place before the latter end of 1828, when, in consequence
of the encouragement given by the Secretary, a few private
individuals united for the purpose of aiding in the circulation
of the Holy Scriptures, partly by sale, and, where necessary,
gratuitous distribution. Up to the year 1832, they had re-
ceived from the Society in London, 1000 copies of the Bible,
and 3089 of the New Testament ; and of these they had, up to
the same date, distributed 951 copies of the Bible, and 2985 of
the New Testament. In the month of June of that year. Dr.
Paterson came out, and formed the present Agency, toge-
ther with branches in Christiansand, Stavanger, Bergen, and
Drontheim. The Society in London has successively autho-
rized the printing of thirteen editions of the New Testament,
each consisting of 5000 copies, altogether 65,000. Of the
Bible, during the same period, four editions, of 5000 each, have
been printed. Since the year 1828, the British and Foreign
Bible Society, through its Agencies, has distributed in Norway,

BRITISH AND FOREIGX BIBLE SOCIETY. 495

12,951 copies of the Bible, and 42,885 copies of the New Tes- EUEOPE.
tament; in all, 55,836 copies. The Norwegian Bible Society chaiTiii.
has, since 1816, distributed 4500 copies of the Bible, and 49,000 1829-54.
copies of the New Testament, or, in all, 53,500 copies. The two Sect! II.
conjointly have circulated 17,451 Bibles, and 91,885 New Northern.
Testaments ; in all, 109,336 copies." Norway.

" By the census of 1845, Norway contained 1,328,000 inha- ^^*^-
bitants, or 275,000 families : since then, it is estimated that an
increase of 10 per cent, has taken place in the population,
which will give 302,500 families, consisting of 1,460,800 indi-
viduals ; showing that about one-third of the estimated number
of families in the country, possess a copy of the Holy Scrip-
tures, or, as it is assumed, there is one copy among thirteen
individuals. These facts prove that a large field is still open
in Norway, for the exercise of the pious and benevolent labours
of the Society."*

Saveden. — The operations of the Society in Sweden, during Sweden,
the period now under review, assume a magnitude and interest
demanding a somewhat more extended notice, than has been
given to the countries we have just quitted.

The visit of the Hon. Mr. Shore, in the year 1831, was the
means of drawing the attention of the Society to Sweden, as
well as Norway. His report of the Bible Societies in Sweden
was favourable : he found them, on the whole, in an active
and efficient state. Still, it appeared, there were numerous
cases in which the assistance of the British Society was de-
sirable, especially among those who, through poverty, were
unable to purchase the Scriptures, wdiether at the full, or the
reduced prices.

The representations of Mr. Shore led to the application to
Dr. Paterson, to undertake that journey to the above coun-
tries, to which we have already alluded. This Mission, which,
from the position taken by the Societies in these Northern
kingdoms in regai'd to the Apocrj-pha, was of a rather delicate
nature, was carefully prepared for by previous correspondence ;
and as at Christiania, so at Stockholm, Dr. Paterson met
with a most cordial reception. The object of his visit seemed

* Measures have since been adopted, with a view to the still more effi-
cient working- of these several Agencies.

496

HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE.

Chap. Ill
1829-54.

Sect. II.
Northern

Sweden.
1831.

Agency
established
at Stock-
holm.

to be well understood and appreciated, and he found no diffi-
culty in establishing a distinct Agency there, on a respectable
and most satisfactory footing. He likewise succeeded in pro-
curing the friendly countenance and co-operation of the
bishops of the principal dioceses, into which the kingdom of
Sweden is divided ; while from the Swedish Bible Society, and
especially from its honoured and noble President, Count Ro-
senblad, he received all the encouragement which the regu-
lations under which they acted allowed, and which those who
had the cause of the Society at heart might be expected to
render. Mr. Keyser, one of the officers of tlie Swedish Society,
with the concurrence of all parties, became a member, with
several other gentlemen, of the new and separate Agency, in
which, from that time, he took a very lively interest, acting
for many years, and until his death, as its Secretary. When
the Rev. Mr. Scott, who was for some time Weslej-an Missio-
nary and Minister at Stockholm, and also an active member
of the Agency, returned into this country, the principal duties
of the Agency, as well as the whole of the correspondence,
devolved on Mr. Keyser, whose zeal and devotedness in the
cause was perseveringly maintained to the last. It is to
the Agency thus established and constituted, that the sub-
sequent history of the Society's work in Sweden chiefly
relates.

Before Dr. Paterson left Stockholm, he made arrangements
there, as at Christiania, for bringing out successive editions of
the Scriptures, as they might be wanted, by the employment
of stereotype plates and otherwise ; and the order and efficiency
with which the work of the Agency has been ever since con-
ducted, may be taken as evidence of the wisdom and care em-
ployed in constructing its basis, and establishing the regu-
lations for its future guidance.

The Agency thus happily established, was soon found in
active operation. Nor was it left without an immediate field
and call for its labours ; for, in the single diocese of Westeras, a
return was made of above 10,000 families without the word of
God in their possession ; a large proportion of whom were re-
presented as too poor to give any thing towards the purchase
of a copy. This was stated to be especially the case among

BRITISH A-ND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 497

the poor but interesting Dalecarlians,* many of whom knew EUEOPE.
not w^liat it was to see bread, and the remainder, instead of Cfj^ui
threshing and grinding their rye, as in other more favoured 1829-54.
parts, cut off the whole ears, and cast them together into the sect. II.
mill, making the produce, chaff and all, into food. These Northern
urgent necessities led, in some cases, to gratuitous distributions ; Sweden,
but generally, some return was obtained, which, in some years, ^^^'**
amounted to 70 per cent, on the original cost of the books not
issued gratuitously.

By the close of the year 1834, the Agency had circulated
38,857 Bibles and Testaments, and had printed for the Society
11,000 Bibles and 45,000 New Testaments, including two or
three editions, of 5000 each, for the benefit of Finland.

In the following year, 1835, an important application was
made from the diocese of Skara, where much distress had pre-
vailed in consequence of the cholera and murrain. After a Distiibu-
careful investigation, it was found that 12,295 households gave yeses' of
notice of their want of the Holy Scriptures, and their desire Skara
to possess them. The stock on hand would not allow of so &c.
large a demand being met at once ; but 2000 Bibles and 3000
Testaments were immediately voted, and most joyfully and
gratefully received. Measures also were taken to expedite a
further supply : a new fount of standing types for the whole
Bible was ordered, and in the mean time, an edition of 1000
Bibles, and 10,000 Testaments, Avas struck oflP.

While these w^orks were in progress, the inquiry into the state s,,.p(i^.,j
of the different dioceses was diligently carried forward. In 1836,
the diocese of Wexio presented 15,000 families as destitute,
and a communication was received from the Bishop of Carlstadt,
intimating that 12,000 families in that diocese had made known
their destitution, and desire to have the Sacred Scriptures.

The distributions made in consequence of these representa-
tions, appear to have been attended with the most beneficial
results, and the expressions of gratitude for the aid rendered,
were most abundant and gratifying.

The Afjency was, at the same time, .employed in extending
the Society's benevolent assistance to Finland, where, at that
period, symptoms of a revival of religion had begun to show

* Of whom an affectinp: incident is narrated, p. 331.
K K

498

HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE,

Chap. III.
1829-54.

Sect. II.
Northern

Sweden.
I«38.

Appli-
cation of
the Arch-
bishop of
Sweden.

Eagerness
of the poor
for the
Scriptures.

themselves, accompanied with an unusual desire, on the part
of the people, to obtain and study the word of God.

But while so many parts of Sweden were availing them-
selves of the proffered aid of the Society, there were two dio-
ceses which declined to do so, though, in one of them, 8000
families were represented, not only as destitute, but as earnestly
desirous of the word of life. The obstruction, it seems, arose
from the Apocrypha question. Could the Society have seen it
right to yield that point, the door, it was believed, would have
been immediately opened ; but the Agency very properly
stood firm.

By the close of 1838, that is, in six years, upwards of
100,000 copies of the Scriptures had passed into circulation,
through the medium of this Agency.

In 1840, Archbishop Wingard, formerly Bishop of Gothen-
burg, but now raised to be Archbishop of Sweden, writing
from Upsala, after expressing his gratitude for the distribution
of Bibles and Testaments, which he had been assisted to effect
in his former diocese, requested to be favoured with a similar
exercise of the Society's bounty, in regard to the populous dio-
cese of Upsala. At the same time he offered, in the name of
the Swedish Church, the thanks of that Church for what the
Society, through its Agency, had been enabled to accomplish.
As an illustration of the manner in which the people in
general prized the efforts made on their behalf, the following-
extract is given from a letter of one of the correspondents of the
Agency : —

" Every Sunday I am assailed with inquiries for Bibles ; and the poor
peoj)le, with tears of joy, utter their expressions of blessing on the noble
Society that extends its liberality so bountifully to them. The desire for
the word of life is indeed very great among them, and they consider
the Sacred Volume as the greatest treasure which they can possess. The
report of your distributions here has reached several adjoining parishes,
where there is a great want, and also a great desire to obtain the Bibles ;
and many individuals have applied to me for copies under the same
favourable conditions as I furnish them here ; but I have not ventured to
make any promise, as, in fact, the 300 Bibles which you have engaged to
send me will scarcely suffice for our own wants. Oh, how much do I
wish'that it were in my power to describe the anxiety of the poor people
to possess the Scriptures ! If you can do any thing in their belialf with
the respected Bible Society, let me earnestly entreat j'ou, in the name of

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 499

Him whose will it is that the whole earth shall be filled with His know- EUROPE,
ledge, to represent the destitute condition in which they are." —

Soon after the period above referred to, that is, about tlie 1^29-54.

3^ears 1842, 1843, the attention of the Agency became directed Sect. II.

to the subject of colportage. The experiment was new, and re- ^^^^'^^'•^

quired to be made with caution. In the first instance, a Col- Sweden.

. 1842

porteur w^as sent to the country bordering upon Norway ; and
two devoted and zealous seamen, who had been engaged, at
the expense of the American Seamen's Society, for the ship- Colportage
ping at Stockholm and Gothenburg, were afterwards em- Sweden."^
ployed by the Agency, and with no inconsiderable success.
One of them especially, of the name of Nilson, continued for
several years to labour with much advantage, and with the
prospect of still wider usefulness, when his labours were sus-
pended, and he himself banished the kingdom, in consequence
of his having adopted the sentiments of the Baptists.

The following extracts from Nilson's journals, may show how
he was accustomed to carry on his work, and the kind of
results which followed.

In 1847 he writes: —

" In spite of the times of scarcity, in several places approaching- to
famine, among the country people, the sales of the Holy Scriptures have
not been less than during the seven preceding years, in which I had the
privilege of distributing the holy word. In the course of last year I have
worked— in this occupation so richly blessed to my heart — not only among Instances
seamen on board the vessels in our harbours, as in former years, but have of happy
also made several excursions into the country. During the months of '^^*^^''"
February and March, I made a journey into the counties of Elfsborg
and Halland, in order to sell Bibles. A poor cottager and his wife con-
fessed that, chiefly by the reading of a Bible, wliich the pastor of the
cong'regation had given to them on account of the Bible Society at Go-
thenburg, they had come to a living faith in the Lord .Jesus. The daughter
of a shoemaker had received a New Testament. The girl now read on
Sundays to her parents in the New Testament. The consequence was,
that they found pleasure in the word of God, and the father, who had
formerly led a disorderly life, especially b}^ di-inking, not only disconti-
nued this conduct, but in every respect bears evidence of the })ower of the
Lord's grace to renew the heart of man.

"In a village where there are several water-mills, I heard some facts

related by persons who had themselves experienced the grace of God. A

miller's man had, three years before, when I travelled that road, bought

a Bible of me. Shortly before, he had been miraculously saved from fall-

K K 2

500

HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE.

Chap. III.
1829-54.

Sect. II,
Northern

Sweden.
1844.

The two
youthful
converts at
the mill.

The aged
sailor.

ing into the stream, and being- crushed by the wheel of the mill. This
accident had awakened him to anxiety concerning- his soul. He com-
menced reading his new Bible, with earnest prayer to the Saviour for the
guidance and consolation of His Spirit, This was vouchsafed to him ; and
after some time the miller's man, whom we call John, was a cheerful con-
fessor of the name of Jesus, both by word and deed, ■ But persecution
came : his master and mistress, and his former comrades, together with
those who frequented the mill, appeared, as it were, incensed by hell,
and united, as they said, to put a stop to John's Bible-reading, But the
Lord ^rengthened and upheld His servant in this trial ; and after some
time the miller's son, Anders, a young man of twenty years, wild and
impious, was also gained for the Saviour. Anders was John's assistant,
or, more properly, his superior in the mill. They had foi-merly been the
best friends in the world ; but Anders tried now, with all his power, by
threats, violence, "calumny, artifices, and enticements, to carry his former
companion back again to his previous mode of hfe, but in vain. One day,
when John was at the forge, and Anders found himself alone in the mill,
he took John's Bible with the purpose of casting- it into the stream ; but,
as if by mere accident, he opened the book, and now he read the words of
the iiiviour, Matt, xxiv. 41, ' Two (women) shall be grinding at the mill,
the one shall be taken, and the other left.' These words touched his
heart, and were like a thunder-clap to his conscience. Trembling, he laid
the Bible in its place in the mill-chamber, and was from that very hour
an altered man. Some time afterwards, Anders was heard to confess that
Jesus Christ had pardoned even his sins. With glad cheerfulness and
amicable confidence these two men have hitherto, in one mind, walked
together ; and in spite of the persecution raised by the enemies of the
Gospel, many persons in that village, and still more from the neighbour-
ing districts, have united with these two youths, encouraged by them to
follow the Saviour."

Again, in 1850 lie writes : —

" To a poor old sailor, living some miles from town, I presented a Bible
on behalf of the Society some years since. Three weeks ago, being on a
journey in the country, I passed the night with some Christian friends in
his neighbourhood, and had the pleasure to meet in the evening-, among-
other followers of Jesus and His word, this old son of the ocean. It was
truly afiecting to hear the grey-haired sailor relating, tears of joy rolling
down his furrowed cheeks, what the Lord had lately' done for his soul.
' 1 did,' he said, ' lead a very sinful life in all my time until twelve years
ago, when I was obliged to quit the service at sea on account of old age
and sickne&s. Before my leaving the sea, I had earnestl}^ thought of
menduig my hfe ; but I was thoroughly ignorant of the right way,
thinking- that by my own strength I might lay aside sin, and that God,
for the sake of my prayers and my piety, would accept me in His grace.
But because I did not know my own heart, nor the merit of Jesus Christ,
my improvement was but of my own works, wliich by degrees died away ;

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 501

it commenced anew, and soon vanished again. AVhen I came home, I EUROPE.

renewed my efforts at recovery, more in real earnest, dreading- a fast- —

approaching- death. It was then, you, on the recommendation of some ,'g'^,q" H

Christian friends, made me a present of the word of Hfe. This has ever

since, as all these friends well know, been my polar star, which, praised ■'^ect. II.

be the g-race of the Lord, has led my poor soul to cast its anchor upon the orthern

fast and unshaken rock— the death of Jesus Christ for my sins. The Sweden

Bible,' he added, ' is now my only treasure, my compass, my chart; and 1844.
I am sure it will not mislead me, nor cheat my calculation, but guide me
to the eternal harbour.' "

In 1844, the Rev. George Scott, who had then returned to
this country, brought under the attention of the Society, the
desirableness of printing a diamond edition of the Swedish sTbieta
New Testament, in Roman characters: 10,000 copies were Roman
accordingly printed at the Oxford University press, Mdiich
met wdth so great acceptance, that, in the following year,
another edition of 10,000 was printed; and to these were
added an edition of 20,000 copies, of the whole Bible, in the
same portable size, in pearl type. The sale was accomplished
at the Society's fixed prices, and the circulation extended
through many parts of the country. These editions were,
throughout, received with great satisfaction, and mostly among
the higher classes.

In 1847, the Swedish Bible Society lost its venerable Pre- Death of
sident. Count Rosenblad. He died at the age of eighty-nine. Count Ro-
He had been, from the first, a warm and active promoter of
the Society, and maintamed a friendly correspondence with
the noble President of the British and Foreign Bible Society,
even after the relation between the two Societies had become,
in consequence of the Apoci-ypha question, less intimate. To
the influence of the venerable Count it may probably be, in
no small degree, attributed, that the operations of the British
Agency in Sweden, ever received from the friends of the
Swedish Society, not only no opposition, but rather encourage-
ment; so that between the two parties an harmonious ac-
tion was maintained, and both had to rejoice in considerable
success.

The Swedish Bible Society has continued to enjoy the pa- Patronage
tronage of the King, who generally, along with other members °^J'^'^ ^'"S
of the royal household, attends its Anniversaries, and, on one

502

HISTORY OF THE

Sweden.
18.54.

EUROPE, occasion at least, if not oftener, his four sons were present

Cha~III. with him.

1829-54. The Agency at Stockhohn, during the following years, ex-
Sect. II. hibited unabated activity ; and has proved, on the whole, one

NoRTiiERN. Qf |.|^g jj^Qg^ prosperous and satisfactory of the Society's Fo-
reign Agencies. Its affairs have been conducted with much
regularity and diligence, and the valuable Reports which it has
furnished from year to year, have abounded in interesting in-
cidents and information. Among not the least important and
interesting of its transmitted documents, is the following state-
ment, drawn up and forwarded on occasion of the Jubilee of
the Society, containing a summary view of the entire Bible
work, as carried on in that country from the commencement
of it, in 1812, down to the year 1854.

Eeview
of Scrip-
ture circu-
lation in
Sweden.

Previous
prevalence
ofinfi-
delity.

" At the commencement of the present century, and at the
period of the establishment of the British and Foreign Bible
Society, namely, in the year 1804, the religious condition of
this, as well as of other countries, was at a very low ebb, and
in many places, partly owing to the system of philosophy pre-
valent at the time, and partly to the political aspect of affairs
in Europe, such a thing as religion had all but ceased to exist.
This manifested itself by a continually-increasing general
neglect of the reading of the Sacred Scriptures, which pro-
ceeded, in part, from the contempt entertained for them by
those in whose possession they might be ; and in part, also,
from the comparative scarcity of the Bible among the mass of
the people. The fact, also, that at that period the Bible was
a tolerably dear book, which every one could not afford to
buy, no doubt greatly contributed towards producing such a
result ; and, in addition to this, the opinion prevailed with
many of the teachers of religion, that there was no occasion
for the Scriptures to be placed in the hands of the common
people, where they might do more harm than good ; not to
mention other representations, whose source one might be
much more inclined to trace to Rome than to a Protestant
country. In short, at the period of unbelief referred to, the
Lord of the Church was wholly placed in the background, —
He, of whom the Apostle John says, ' In Him was life, and the

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 503

life was the light of men.' The source of the word was not EUROPE,
acknowledged, and therefore not the word itself: 'men loved ciiap~iii
darkness rather than light.' is29-54.

" It was under such circumstances, that a man who will ggc^ u.
ever be dear to us, namely, Dr. Paterson, came to this country, Northern
a few years after the formation of the British and Foreign Sweden.
Bible Society, for the purpose of making himself acquainted ^^^■^•
with the state of matters then existing, so as to be able to
decide on the possibility, or otherwise, of establishing a Society
for the circulation of the Scriptures. What difficulties he visitofDr
encountered, will be sufficiently known from the older records Paterson.
of the Society. In the mean time he succeeded so far as, by
way of commencement, to form the Evangelical Society, whose
more immediate object it indeed was to publish Religious
Tracts ; but which, being encouraged thereto by the liberal
assistance of the British and Foreign Bible Society, at a very Hcai So-
early date began to print, from standing types, in the first ^'^^^ ,
place, the New Testament, and afterwards the entire Bible,
which were then put into circulation ; the Apocryphal Books,
it should be stated, being excluded from the Bible. The
first edition appeared in the year 1812, and was received
by numbers with the liveliest joy. At the same time, there
were persons who entertained a diff'erent opinion on the sub-
ject, especially those who were desirous of waiting for the
improved translation, which had been in vain looked for since
the year 1793, but which to this hour has not yet made its
appearance.

" At the Anniversary Meeting of the above-named Evan-
gelical Society, in the same year, namely, 1812, an esteemed
speaker gave a detailed account of all the editions of the Scrip- ^*^.*^^ °^
tures printed in Sweden, from the time of tlie introduction of circulation
the Reformation to the year 1811, from which it appeared as "^ ^"'^"
highly probable, that the number of copies existing in the
country at that time, could not be more than about 101,600;
and that, taking the average of the poorer classes, only one in
every eighty-one, could be considered as the possessor of a Bible.
' The word of the Lord was precious in those days : there was
no open vision' (1 Sam. iii. 1). But the days had begun to
dawn of which the Prophet speaks, when he says, ' Behold, the

504 IlISTOKY OF THE

EUROPE, days come, saitli the Lord God, that I will send a famine in

~ the land ; not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of

1829-54. hearing the words of the Lord' (Amos viii. 11). * He who

Sec7 II. worketh both to will and to do of His own good pleasure,'

NoRTHEPN gave with the food, also the hunger after it.
Sweden. " Of what has, since that time, been accomplished, the yearly

^^^'^- accounts forwarded to London will have furnished ample de-
tails : suffice it here to say, that during the intervening period,
about 1,220,000 copies of the Sacred Scriptures have been put
into circulation, chiefly in this country, but partly also in
Finland, through the instrumentality of the Swedish Bible
Society, established in the year 1814, and of the Agency of
the British and Foreign Bible Society. Of this number.

Amount of ^bout 276,000 consisted of whole Bibles, and among these,

circulation, were not less than 123,000 without the Apocrypha, issued
from the depot of the British and Foreign Bible Society;
which fact sufficiently proves, that the gloomy forebodings, ex-
pressed in a former communication by some of our friends,
with regard to the circulation of the Bible, unaccompanied by
these Apocryphal books, were without foundation ; and that
by following such a course ' the liberty of conscience has not
been interfered with.'

" How much the British and Foreign Bible Society, in the
exercise of its benevolence, has, during a period of somewhat
more than forty years, contributed towards promoting so ex-
tensive a distribution of the Holy Scriptures in our country,
is clearly shown from the fact, that the sums of money voted
by it, up to the year 1826, in aid of the various Bible So-
cieties formed in Sweden, amounted to £10,000 sterling ; and
that, since that period, nearly 300,000 rix-dollars banco, or
£25,000 sterling, have been expended for its account in the
circulation of the word of God by the Agency in this city, ex-
clusive of the value of the large numbers of Bibles and New
Testaments printed in London, and thence forwarded to the
different Bible Societies in the country, before the establish-
ment of the Agency. — Can this have been a work of man ? As-
suredly not ! ' It is the Lord's doing ; it is marvellous in our
eyes' (Ps. cxviii. 23).

" Whereas, forty years ago, only one person in eighty-one.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 505

could be the possessor of the Sacred Volume, now, although EUROPE.
the population has since increased by more than a million, q^^ ju
for every third person, there has been provided the New Tes- 1829-54.
tament, and for every twelfth, or thirteenth, a copy of the entire sect. II.
Bible. From this, however, as was done in the calculation Northern
for the period preceding the year 1811, a reasonable deduction Sweden,
must be made for all the copies which, in the interval, have ^^^^'
been either worn out or lost ; and it must moreover be re-
marked, that in certain of the National Schools, the Sacred
Volume is in more common use than in others ; both which
facts lead us to the conclusion, that we must certainly not Proportion
reckon upon finding the Scriptures among the greater pro- °^ Scrip-
portion of the inhabitants, or in every habitation of those population,
belonging to the wealthier classes, much less in every cottage
of the poor. There is, consequently — and it accords with all
the reports which have been received — a considerable portion
of the population of our country still without the possession of
the Scriptures ; and considering that the number of house-
holds is increasing at the rate of 20,000 annually, and that
thus, in reference only to the supply of these, nearly three
times the number of entire Bibles distributed in the course
of the last few years would be requisite ; it will be clearly seen,
how distant we as yet are, from attaining to the accomplish-
ment of the wish, of seeing a Bible in the possession of each
family in our land. Further, taking one or the other province
by itself, and comparing the increase of the population, or of
the new households from year to year, with the number of
copies of the Sacred Scriptures which, dui'ing the same period,
have been distributed there, it must be confessed that such a
comparison is often very saddening ; more especially when it
cannot be taken for granted, that the Sacred Volume pre-
viously existed there ; which certainly would not, in the ma-
jority of instances, have been the case.

" While it must be acknowledged, that in comparison with
former times, the desire after the word of Life has con-
siderably increased, we are only thereby the more surely led
to the positive conviction, that much, very much, still remains
to be accomplished in our country, before the precious word of
God will be accessible everywhere, and before every one will

506

HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE, be able to read It. Let not, therefore, your respected Society
"~ grow weary in scattering abroad the precious seed in the land

Chap. Ill,
1829-54.

Sect. II.
Northern

Sweden.
1854.

Death of
Mr.Keyser.

VisitofMr.
KnoUeke.

Agency at
Stockholm
re-organ-
ized.

of its neighbours, Sweden, in full assurance of the blessing
which the Lord has promised to the propagation of His word.
And oh, that all in our land, who have been endowed with
means and abilities for the work, would, with renewed zeal,
seize every opportunity that may present itself, for the fur-
therance of this good cause, and thereby hasten forward the
approach of the wished-for period, when no one shall be found
unprovided with a Bible.

" Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly,
above all that we ask or think, according to the power that
worketh in us, unto Him be glory in the Church by Jesus
Christ, throughout all ages, world Avithout end. Amen."

The death of Mr. Keyser, the Society's old and valued cor-
respondent at Stockholm, and for many years the active and
devoted Secretary of the Agency there, induced the Society
to make arrangements, in the summer of 1853, for a visit to
that country by the Society's Assistant Foreign Secretary, Mr.
KnoUeke. The reception and hospitable entertainment given
to him, as the representative of the Society, not only by the
surviving members of the Agency, but by many respectable
and influential friends, including especially Count Snoilsky,
the Treasurer of the Swedish Bible Society, was very gra-
tifying. After much conference, Mr. KnoUeke succeeded in
re-organizing the Agency, and placing it on a satisfactory
basis.

■ The Rev. Mr. Rohtlieb, Minister of the German Church
in Stockholm, accepted the office formerly held by Mr.
Keyser ; and the zeal and devotedness with which he entered
on his work, and the character of his subsequent corre-
spondence, give every promise that the affiiirs of this im-
portant Agency will be carried on with no diminished ability
or energy.

Mr. KnoUeke had it in charge, among other objects, to
make inquiries respecting supplying the students of the prin-
cipal Universities in Sweden and Norway with copies of
the Scriptures, as a Jubilee present. The breaking out
of the cholera prevented his visiting the latter country, as

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 507

he liad Intended ; but in Sweden, the subject was taken up EUROPE,
with much cordiality. The Archbishop of Upsala, and cuapTiii,
other authorities, manifested a lively interest in the under- J 829-54.
taking, and the result was a grant of Scriptures from the sect. If.
Jubilee Fund, as a present to the students in the University Northern

of Upsala. Sweden.

The Society had much pleasure in sanctioning arrange-
ments, proposed by their friends at Stockholm, for an ex-
tensive supply of the Scriptures to the Swedish army and
navy ; to which important measure the authorities kindly
yielded their assent, and the Agency were empowered to print
an edition of 12,000 Testaments, for this express purpose.*

Russia. — Mention has already been made of the formation Russia.

of a Protestant Bible Society, under the Presidency of Prince

Lieven, for supplying the Protestants of Russia with the

Scriptures. Before Dr. Paterson left St. Petersburg!!, he had j3[^]g g^.

the pleasure of communicating the sanction of the Emperor to ciety under

*"" PrincG

the establishment of tlie Society ; and also, that it had 20,000 Lieven.

copies of the Scriptures ready for distribution, besides 13,000 ^^^^•

rubles in the bank.

At the same time. Dr. Paterson informed the Society of

an affecting letter, which he had received from Archbishop

Tengstrom, detailing the circumstances of a dreadful fire which

had taken place at Abo, and which had consumed nearly 900

of the 1000 houses, of which the city is composed. Eleven Destructive

thousand inhabitants were left without house or home. The fire at Abo.

Archbishop writes : — " It grieves me to the heart to inform

you, that all the Bibles and Testaments, and other property,

including the stereotype plates for the Bible, belonging to the

Finnish Bible Society, have become a prey to the flames, to

the amount of 7000 rubles ; and thus Finland has at once been

deprived, and that for many years to come, of all access to

that light and comfort which the Bible alone can afford." The

assistance which Dr. Paterson proposed, was a grant of 500

Swedish, and 2000 Finnish Testaments. The former were

cheerfully granted ; and, in consequence of there being none of

* The later reports of the Ag-ency, show it to be in a state of undi-
minished activity.

508 HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE, the latter in the possession of the Society, an edition of 5000
ChapTiii. copies was printed for that purpose.

1829-54. But little was heard of the Protestant Bible Society at St.
Sect. II. Petersburgh, till about four years after its establishment.
Northern j^amely, in the year 1832; up to which time, it had issued
Russia. 11,837 copies of the Scriptures, in ten different languages.
1829. rpj^^ Dorpatian Bible Society, connected with the Protes-

tant Society at St. Petersburgh, and subject to its regulations,
showed at this time considerable revival. In one parish, no
fewer than 1274 persons enrolled themselves as members, and
Zeal of the seven Branch Societies were formed in connection with it.
Dorpat- There being also a considerable field for exertion among the
German-speaking part of the population, 500 Bibles, and 1000
Testaments, were placed at the disposal of Professor Sartorius,
who kindly offered his services, and to whom, henceforward,
were consigned occasional supplies for the above purpose.
Distribu- The Protestant Bible Society at St. Petersburgh, has conti-

Protesta*nr ""^^ ^^ '^^^ course quietly, and without interruption. It only
Bible So- issues its Reports once in two, three, or four years. The interest-
'^'^ ^* ing details of its proceedings which thus reached this country,

will be found embodied, from time to time, in this Society's
publications ; affording pleasing indication of the good spirit
and perseverance with which the work was conducted, as well
as numerous proofs of its acceptance and usefulness. Its fifth
Report, published in 1844, shows its issues in the preceding
four years, together with those of its Auxiliaries, to have been
45,115, and, from its commencement, 132,664 volumes. In the
same period, it had printed new editions in the German, Livo-
nian, Reval-Esthonian, Dorpat-Esthonian, Lithuanian, &c.

In 1848, the total issues of this Society had increased to
209,219 copies, and in 1854 to above 250,000. Thus was
it honoured to take no inconsiderable share in such biblical
labours, as were still permitted within the range of the Russian
empire.

Having thus glanced at the native operations carried on in
Russia, during the period under review, we now proceed to
notice, more particularly, those directly conducted and sup-
ported, for the benefit of that vast empire, by the British
Society and its Agents.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 509

The direct Agency of the British and Foreign Bible Society EUROPE,
in Russia, may be said to have originated with the Rev. Mr. cmT"!!!
Knill, the gentleman already referred to as minister of an 1829-54.
English and American congregation in St. Petersburgh. His Seot!^II.
correspondence with the Society commenced about the year Northern
1828, wdien he was entrusted with a number of copies for dis- Russia,
tribution. His work and success soon becoming much greater ^^^^'
than he had expected, he thought it well, after a time, to asso-
ciate with liimself a few other friends, both to audit his ac-
counts, and to advise and assist in his general operations.

Thus was established an Agency, which has ever since
continued, and which has not only supplemented the efforts
of the Protestant Bible Society, but has also accomplished
much which that Society might not have felt at liberty to
attempt.

The circumstances which led to Mr. Knill's entering on the Occasion
work of Bible distribution at St. Petersburgh, are too interest- o^Mr*^'^'"
ing to be passed over without notice. At the time the great Kuill's
Russian Bible Society was suspended, a considerable stock of
Bibles and Testaments were on hand. Those that were readj;^
for issuing, were allowed to be sold at fixed prices. Few, how-
ever, were called for, and the books were already perishing in
the damp rooms, in which they had been stowed away. In
July 1828, (as related by him in an Address at the Public
Meeting in London, May 1834,) Mr. Knill obtained a few of
these books from the warehouse where they had lain con-
cealed, for the purpose of sending them to a young Lutheran,
who had been singularly induced to seek the spiritual benefit
of the inhabitants of a small island, called Hog Laud, in the
Baltic. INIr. Knill shall now speak for himself: —

" It happened one day, when I was packing- up the boxes, for my young
friend, with some medicines, his clothes, and Hfteen Bibles ; just as I was
putting- the Bibles into the box, a jteasant called at my house on business.
As she passed, I said to her, ' Can j^ou read V ' Yes,' said she, ' in m}^ own
lang:uage.' ' What is that !' ' The Finnish.' ' Finnish ! ' said I, ' here is a Finnish
Fimiish Bible : read it.' She received it, read it, and returned the book. ^^^^^ fur a
' Have you a Bible ?' No, I never had one ; I never had enoug-h to buy one.'
' How much money have you now ." ' Only one ruble.' ' Well, g:ive
me that, and I will give you this Bible.' She looked at me with distrust,
not thinking- I would let her have it for that sum. 'I mean what I say,'

510

HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE.

Chap. III.
18:^9-54.

Sect. I[.
Northern

Russia.
1829.

The sub-
sequent
eager de-
luand.

Effect of
Scripture
reading.

said I : ' if you give me that ruble, I will give you this book.' She gave
me the ruble, and I returned her the book ; and, oh ! if you had seen
with what joy she received it ! She pressed it to her bosom, while tears
gushed from her eyes ; and she seemed to feel in her heart that she had
got a treasure, the lamp of life, to direct her through this wilderness to
heaven, I then said, ' Go, tell your neighbours, if any of them wish to
receive a Bible, they shall have one for a ruble.' She Avent to the hay-
market, held up her book, and exclaimed, ' See ! see !' ' What is it ? '
' The Bible !' ' Where did you get it ?' 'I got it from the foreign priest.'
' What did it cost V ' A ruble.' ' A ruble ! no, that 's impossible ! you
couldn't get that for a ruble?' * Yes, I did ; and the man told me, that if
any of you wished to have one at the same price, you might.' They took
the book from her, gave her two rubles, and said, ' Now, if you can go
and bring us two Bibles for that, you shall have your book again ; if not,
we will keep it for your having deceived us.' She came to me, looking
very sorrowful, fearing that I should not let her have the books ; but I
gave her them, and said, ' Tell your neighbours it is true ; they may
have as many Bibles as they will bring rubles.' She went, the tidings
circulated, and what was the consequence ? In six weeks time I sold 800
copies. Some persons came sixty versts to procure them, and were at my
house by daybreak, that they might not lose the precious opportunity.
I was, however, in some measure, taken by surprise. Certainly I was
not prepared to furnish 800 Bibles, and therefore did not know what to
do. I had given my word to supply the people, and as they poured in,
ten or twenty at a time, I felt at a loss. I said to my wife, * What shall
I do 1 Our Master is faithful : I have given my word to the people, and if
I fail I shall lose my character.' She replied, ' It is God's work : go for-
ward.' "

The following beautiful instance of the eflPect of reading tJie
Scriptures, and one that fell under Mr. Knill's own know-
ledge, is given in one of his earlier letters, in which is contained
an account of his distribution of the first 1800 copies.

" When the young person first came to us, she seemed to take great
delight in reading, and we were gratified to see how diligently she im-
proved every spare moment for this purpose ; but the first time she dis-
covered any emotion respecting it, was one evening Avhen reading the
history of Cornelius. She came to my wife with an anxious, inquiring
look, and said, * Please to explain tins to me : Cornelius fasted, prayed to
God alway, and gave much alms to the people, yet he was commanded
to send for Peter. How is this ? What could he do more 1 Is any thing
more required of us than to pray, give alms, and keep the fast '' Mrs.
Knill answered, ' If something more had not been necessary, the angel
would not have commanded it. Proceed with the narrative, and mark
what Peter said.' She proceeded ; and when she had read these words
' To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name whoso-

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 511

ever believetli in Him shall receive remission of sins,' the poor young' EUROPE.
creature was overwhelmed : she burst into a flood of tears, and exclaimed, —

' Now I see it ! now I see it ! It is by beheving- in the Lord Jesus Christ ,^'^q' H
that we receive the forgiveness of sins ;" and from that day her delight "__

in the word of God, her diligence in business, and her love to the souls of Sect. II.
her relatives, made her very highly esteemed by those about her." orthern

111 the followiiio; year he writes (1829) : — Russia.

'^ -^ ^ ^ 1829.

'' I rejoice to tell you that the cause continues to prosper, and 700 copies
more (chiefly Russ Testaments) have been drawn out of the warehouses,
and put into the hands of men. Many of these, having been purchased
by people returning- to their native villages, are carried 600, and some-
times even 1200 miles into the interior."

This brought up the total of the distribution to 2500 copies;
and he says, " I think that not 20 out of the 2500 have been
given gratis, but almost all have been sold at a reduced price."

Besides seeking for, and obtaining assistance from other Progress
quarters, he applied again to the Society; and 1000 Testa- of distri-
ments in (jrerman, ±innisn, and Kuss, were m consequence
placed at his disposal. From this time he associated two or
three friends with himself, for the purposes above stated, and
thus the Agency might henceforth be regarded as virtually
formed.

A grant of 2000 Testaments was subsequently made in Sep-
tember ; and at the close of November, he sent information that
they were all gone: 2000 Russ, 1000 German, and 1000 Fin-
nish, were then ordered for his use. The lamentable want of the
Finnish Testaments, appears from the following passage in one
of his letters : — " Last week two of my friends travelled into
Finland, about as far as from London to Exeter and back
again. They took with them 160 New Testaments, which
they purchased of me at a reduced price, every copy of which
they gave to poor families who could read, but who never
possessed a copy of the Sacred Volume in their lives. They
stopped at one place containing 1000 souls, yet only one New
Testament could be found among them all ! "

One extract more may be here given: — " Li settling his
books for the year, the following statement appeared: —
' Brought into circulation 8568 Bibles, Testaments, and Psal-
ters, at a cost price of 18,361 rubles. 3000 New Testa-
ments, out of this number, were furnished by the British

512

HISTORY OF THE

Chap. Ill
1^29-54.

Sect. II.
Northern

Russia.
1830.

Further
distri-
bution by
Mr, Knill

EUROPE, and Foreign Bible Society at two separate grants ; and many
of the other New Testaments were purchased with the money
arising from the sale, at low prices, of the books given by the
Society.' "

Mr. Knill continued to furnish, from time to time, the most
satisfactory details of his operations. In 1830, besides the
most strenuous exertions in his own immediate vicinity, he
established small depots at Karass, Astrachan, Selinginsk,
Tiflis, Shushi, and in Finland; and put into circulation,
within the twelvemonth, nearly 8000 volumes ; that is, 4000
Russ, 1000 Finnish, 725 German, 974 various, 1000 Russian
Psalters, and 260 Bibles. He was further supplied with 100
Hebrew Testaments, 200 Hebrew Psalters, 2500 German
Testaments, and 2000 Russ Testaments, on the usual terms ;
and the Committee, having taken into consideration the ser-
vices rendered to the Society by him during the preceding two
years, and the expenses which his exertions had necessarily
incurred, presented him with the suai of £100.

The distributions of Mr. Knill, in 1831, were not quite so
numerous as in some preceding years : the issues of the year
amounted, however, to 5823 Testaments, making his total
issues 22,000 ; a total which could not but inspire lively
thanksgiving, when the suspension of the Russian Bible
Society's proceedings was borne in mind. One cause of the
diminished circulation was the prevalence of the cholera. Mr.
Knill's own family was visited by it, and two of his children
were cut oflP.

In 1832, Mr. Knill issued, in various directions, about
4000 copies of the Scriptures, principally New Testaments ;
and during the remainder of his stay at St. Petersburgh, which
was till towards the close of 1833, he continued his active
exertions in promoting the Society's object. On his return
to this country, a sum of £100 was placed at his disposal, for
the purchase of Russian and Sclavonian Testaments. His
direct labours on behalf of Russia now ceased, as he did not
return again to St. Petersburgh. The work, however, did not
cease, but was actively carried on by others. Through his
instrumentality alone, about 30,000 copies were left in the
hands of the people.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 513

About this time, grants of Scriptures began to be made to EUROPE.
Dr. Haas, of Moscow, a gentleman animated by the spirit of a cuApTlir.
Howard. Every Monday, he was accustomed to go to the l829-.')4.
prison, to administer bodily and spiritual help. He was always Sect. II.
present when the exiles left for Siberia, and every one that Northern
could read was supplied with the Scriptures, if not totally Russia,
averse to it. The gratitude that some of these unhappy
persons expressed was truly affecting: they felt their deep
obligation to him who did every thing he could to ameliorate Dr. Haas*
their condition. In 1833, Dr. Haas received 200 copies for Moscow.
distribution among Poles going into exile.

The friends who took up the labours of Mr. Knill after his Mr. Kuill
departure, were actuated by a kindred spirit. The Rev. J. C. ^^%l^. Pe-
Brown succeeded Mr. Knill in charge of the congregation at St. tersburgh
Petersburgh; and he, with several members of the congregation, Mr. Brown
continued to receive and distribute the Scriptures with much ^^"^■*'
zeal and discrimination. Mr. Mirrielees, one of their number,
gives an interesting account of 1500 copies being distributed
to the exiles in Siberia, and other distant parts of the Russian
empire ; and INIr. Brown states, " that in a letter from Siberia Scriptures
he found, that the brethren there had had an opportunity of for exiles in
sending a few Russian Testaments, 500 versts beyond their
station at Khodon, to a village where, even among the
Russians, the book was utterly unknown, even by name."

The distribution of these zealous friends amounted, in 1837,
to 7474 copies, of which 1251 were distributed to the exiles ;
and while this increased circulation was going on, mea-
sures were taken to carry it out to a much greater extent,
especially in Finland, where above 100,000 families were
reported as destitute of the Sacred Volume, and in other
Russian provinces where Protestant families were found. One
of the correspondents at St. Petersburgh relates the following
interesting anecdote : —

" You have already heard of the way in which the Rev. E. Knill first Finland,
attempted to recommence the sale of the Sacred Scriptures here, by telhng-
a Finnish milkwoman that she and any of her countrymen mig-ht have as of B^ble^
many as they pleased at one ruble each. Of the seed sown on that distribu-
occasion little was known, till two of our friends, making- a short tour in *'°°-
Finland, passed throug-h the villng-e of Ilalleroa, calling- at every house,
and leaving- one or other of their books. "Wlien they had nearly completed
L L

514

HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE.

Chap. III.
1829-54.

Sect. II.

KORTUERN

Russia.
1833.

Finland.

Fcenein a

Finland

home.

Siberian
Mission,

Results,
nmong the
Mongolian
Tartars.

their visits, they were interrupted by a person, who, running towards
them, called out, ' You have missed my house : you must come back.'
They returned to his dwelling, and began to unpack their books. The
man stood beside them until they had opened their parcel, and he had re-
ceived from them one of their books. It happened to be a Finnish hymn-book.
He no sooner saw what it was, than he exckimed, 'Wife ! Wife ! Look !'
and both of them began to sing with much feehng the hymns contained
in the book. Filled with astonishment, my friends proceeded to inquire
the reason of all this, and how they had been brought to take such a deep
interest in religious matters. ' I will soon tell you that,' repUed the man.
' About four years ago we were at the hay-market, in St. Petersburgh : a
milkwoman came to the market, and holding up a large book, called out
to some of her acquaintance, ' See, I have got this for one ruble !' My
wife purchased either it or another at the same price, and brought it home.
My wife and I began to read it : we got deeply interested, sat up all
night, read and wept, and read and wept, and read on. I was formerly
a great drunkard, but I have never tasted spirits since ; and see how
comfortable, we are.' My friends found that their children could read
both the Russ and the Finnish, and were also agi-eeably surprised to find
an article of luxury, not always to be found in a peasant's cottage, in the
form of a small bookcase for the children's books.

" Another friend visited them about three years since, and found thing's
still in the same state — the pious peasant happy and contented, and teaching
his children to remember their Creator in the days of their youth ; and
proving that wisdom's ways are ways of pleasantness, and that the fear
of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom."

We now turn to notice some measures taken in regard to
Siberia, and the Mission established there for the benefit of the
Mongolian Tartars.

The following information was furnished respecting this
country by the Rev. Richard Knill : —

" Our Siberian Mission is as near to China as England is to Wales,
which makes the relative importance of the Mission unspeakably great ;
the Mongolian language being spoken, and the same idolatry being prac-
tised, by multitudes on both sides of the frontier, i.e. both in China and
Russia. It has pleased God, in His boundless mercy, to visit the Mission
during the last twelvemonth in a manner unknown before.

" Mr. Swan says, in a letter — 'A few weeks after we reached Kliodon,
one or two of our young men began to show tokens of impressions, which
encouraged us to hope that a liigher power than ours was at work upon
their hearts. This hope was soon confirmed, and we have several more
serious inquirers. All of them are young, except two : the one, the
teacher, who was five years in Mr. Stallybrass's employment, and the other
my former copyist. Both of these now give us satisfactory evidence of
a change of heart ; and we are led with wonder and gratitude to exclaim,

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 515

What hath God wrought! They are truly like new -horn babes, thirsting EUROPE,
for the sincere milk of the word, that they may gTow thereby ; and they —

are growing. Before the hay-harvest, one or more of these youths came 1829.54
to Mr. Stallybrass, or myself, almost every evening, with their Kew —

Testaments hi their hands, asking us to explain certain passages ; and they ^'^'^'^- ^^•
have now a little text-book, which they carry in their bosom, in which _

they have written passages which have particularly struck them. It is Russia,
delightful to mark their progress, and to witness how a beam of sacred l^^^-
pleasure lights up their features, when some new view of Divine truth Siberia,
breaks upon them, some new point from which they can contemplate the
love of the Redeemer. Last Lord's-day morning, at our usual Mongolian
service, I requested one of them to read the third chapter of St. John's
Gospel. "Wlien he came to the words, " God so loved the world, that He
gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not
perish, but," &c., his voice faltered, and with difficulty he read a little
further : but when he came to the words, " This is the condemnation, that
light is come into the world, but men loved darkness rather than light,
because their deeds were evil," his feehngs completely overcame him, and
his voice was drowned with sobs and tears. I finished the chapter, and
preached to the people. It was a little congTegation, but I trust the Lord
was in the midst of us ; and that is better than a large congregation
where His presence is not felt.' "

The printino; of the Moiisolian Scriptures — a work which had Mongolian
1 • p ^ 1 1 T» r. • • T^i 1 version by

been carrying on, tor some years, by the Missionaries at Khodon, Messrs.

—had in 1838 advanced to the end of the historical books ; and |j'X-^'"^

to these, in the following year, those of the Hagiographa brass.

were added, and also a second edition of the Pentateuch ; after

which the translators proceeded with a revision of the New

Testament, an edition of which had been printed by the

Russian Bible Society. Mr. Swan communicated the following

gratifying intelligence respecting the distributions of these

Scriptures: —

" Portions of the Scriptures are put into circulation among the people,
as soon, almost, as they leave the press. This very day I have received a
letter from one of our native converts, who is now on a journey among
his countrymen, distributing copies of the Scriptures. He left us a few
weeks ago, with upwards of 200 copies of various books. He had reached J/istnbu-
the farthest point of his journey, about 250 miles distant from this place, tj^g ^on-
only a few days, when the whole of his stock was disposed of, and many verts.
appUcants had gone away disappointed, having come too late to receive a
share. To use his own expression, he felt like a man who had gone out
with half a bushel of seed-corn to sow a field of ten acres with. May a
rich blessing accompany this good seed, and mav it yet produce a hundred
fold !

L L 2

Chap. Ill
1829-54.

516 HISTORY OF TITE

EUROrE. " Since -writing- the above, the Buriat convert referred to has returned
from his tour, and bring-s a very gratifying report of the reception he met
with, and of the eager desire of many to obtain copies of the Scriptures.
This we think matter of especial thanksgiving to God, because the
Sect. II. districts where our friend was dispensing the truth, are in the immediate
ORTHERN jigig-hbourhood of the Slongohans beyond the frontier, whom many of the
Eussia. copies of the Scriptures thus distributed may eventually reach. You are
1840. aware that we can have no direct intercourse with the subjects of the
Siberia Chinese empire, but, nevertheless, the Mongohan Scriptures find their
way to many of those who understand the language in that land of dark-
ness ; and we have been repeatedly told that the books are well understood,
are much sought after, and, we may hope, not read in vain."

It is grievous to say, that within the twelvemonth after the
above letter was written, the Mission in Siberia was, bj order
of the Russian authorities, broken up : not, however, before
Siberian ^he Missionaries, Messrs. Swan and Stallybrass, had been
brought to enabled to complete the printing of the entire Old Testament.
a close. rpj^g New Testament, which was almost ready for the press,
they were compelled to bring over with them to this country,
where it was afterwards printed, at the expense of the Society,
by the above-named Missionaries. The Old Testament, which
they were obliged to leave behind them, was not allowed to
be circulated ; but it was afterwards removed to St. Peters-
burgh, and ultimately brought over to this country. This
version will have again to be referred to, in connection with
China, whither some supplies have, from time to time, been
forwarded.

It may not be unsuitable to introduce here, some account of
the measures taken in regard to another of the languages of
China, the Mantchou, as these measures, though having a
principal relation to China, were directed within the limits of
the Russian Empire, and partly by Russians themselves. The
attention of the Society was, in 1833, drawn by Mr.
Swan, while at St. Petersburgh, on his way to Siberia, to a
manuscript translation of almost the entire Old Testament
Mantciiou in the Mantchou, which had been made at Pekin, and had
the Old recently been brought to St. Petersburgh. So important
Testament. ^[^ ]y|j,^ Swan, and other friends in that city, deem it to
obtain a copy of this manuscript, that, though every arrange-
ment had been made by Mr. Swan to leave St. Petersburgh
for his station in Siberia, it was determined to take upon

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 517

themselves the responsibility of acting in the matter, as time EUROPE.

did not allow of replies being waited for from England. Their CHAr~Iir

measures were entirely approved, and Mr. Swan's services l»29-34.

were employed in copying the manuscript, which, when com- Sect. II.

pleted, was transmitted to this country. The report on the ^'oi*-thern

merits of the version was very satisfactory. Nothing, however, Russia.

has since been determined upon, with respect to the printing of

this work.

The Society had long possessed the New Testament in

the Mantchou; and several years ago, an edition of St.

Matthew was printed, under the superintendence of Mr.

LipofFzoif the translator, with types belonging to the Society,

which were then lying in St. Petersburgh. A few copies of NewTesta-

this Gospel were despatched to different places, whence, it was ™®^*'

hoped, they could be put in circulation ; and one of these copies

came into Mr. GutzlaflPs hands in his first or second visit to

China. The greater part of the remainder were destroyed in

that awful flood, which occurred in St. Petersburgh in the

winter of 1824. The attention of the Society having been

drawn to this language, it appeared very desirable to obtain

the aid of some one, to enable them to proceed in printing the

New Testament, and, should the occasion require it, of the

Old also. Mr. George Borrow, of Norwich, oflPered himself to

their notice, as having made himself master, to a certain extent,

of the Mantchou; and he was sent to St. Petersburgh in 1834, carried

where peculiar facilities existed for obtaining further knowledge thrpress

of the lancruao-e. Mr. Borrow succeeded in carrying through by Mr.
^ ^, , . n ■ PIC- T-P Borrow,

tlie press, much to the satisraction oi the bociety, an edition oi

1000 copies of the New Testament, in which undertaking he

received much valuable aid from Mr. Lipoffzoff, the original

translator of the work, who. rendered his services gratuitously.

Mr. Borrow applied to the Russian Government for permission

to go himself to distribute the book ; this, however, was not

granted, and the whole impression was brought over to this

country, whence, as opportunities have offered, copies have

been sent to China.

Reports concerning the wants of Finland being still received, Fiulaud.

and the offers of supply being very favourably regarded by

the ecclesiastical authorities in Finland, the Society engaged.

518

HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE.

Chap. III.
1829-54.

Sect. II.
Northern

Russia.
1840,

Finland.

Affecting
need of
the Scrip-
tures.

Rev. Mr.

Ellerby,
Agent at
St. Peters-
burgh,

Distribu-
tion by the
Archbishop
of Abo.

in 1838, to provide for the printing of 25,000 Finnish Testa-
ments ; which work was conducted under the eye of the Arch-
bishop of Finland, who with great kindness, and much labour,
personally revised the sheets as they passed through the press.

When the edition was completed, which was in 1840, 5000
copies were placed at the disposal of the Agency, for the bene-
fit of Finns residing in Russia ; and 20,000 were confided to the
Archbishop, who carefully drew up regulations for their judi-
cious distribution.

Among other affecting proofs afforded of the urgent need
there was for such a supply, one may be selected from the let-
ters of the Agency at this period.

" A gentleman and lady, on their return from St. Petersburg-h, passed
a village nearly in the middle of their way, when they were told that a kind
gentleman from Russia, about two years before, made a present of a
Finnish New Testament to an old woman, which was the only copy that
was ever seen in all that neighbourhood, and that people come from more
than thirty versts (twenty miles) to the old woman to read in the New
Testament. If such is the case in the more inhabited part of Finland,
not far from the capital (Helsingfors) and other towns, what may we ex-
pect from the more remote ports, where the population is thinly spread ?
The distribution of these 25,000 copies will, therefore, stand as a monu-
ment of the generosity of the English ; when heard or spoken of now,
people can scarcely be made to believe it ; for such disinterested generosity,
it seems, was never known here."

The Agency were immediately authorized to undertake a
new edition of 25,000 copies.

The Rev. Mr. Brown, who, after Mr. Knill's return to this
country, had corresponded with the Society on behalf of the
Agency, was, in 1840, succeeded by the Rev. T. S. Ellerby,
who entered with equal devotedness into the proceedings of
the Agency, and henceforth continued to render it very effec-
tive service.

The Archbishop of Abo having given a very full and satis-
factory account of the distribution of the 20,000 Finnish Tes-
taments entrusted to him, one-half of which were circulated in
the diocese of Abo, and the other half in the diocese of BorgS ;
and having shown, by careful computation, that there were
still above 30,000 families quite destitute, Avho could afford to
pay nothing, besides about an equal number that could afford
to pay something ; instructions were issued, in 1842, for another

EUROPE.

Earnest

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 519

edition, of 25,000, of the Finnish Testament to be put to press.
Supplies were also furnished, from time to time, of the Swedish c^^p, m.
Scriptures for Swedish families in Finland, thousands of which 1829-34.
were found in the same destitute condition. Sect. IT.

Five thousand copies of the Reval-Esthonian New Testa- Northern
ment were ordered to press in 1841, in consequence of the Russia,
appeal and request contained in the following letters : — _ '

" I enclose you a letter," writes Mr. Ellerby, " from Pastor Kettler, of jjgyn].
Jorden, in Esthonia, that on its statements I, in common with the other Esthonia.
members of the Bible Agency in this city, may found an appeal to your
Committee on behalf of the poor Esthonians. In no part of the Russian
empire does there seem such an eag'er desire to possess the word of God.
The people are indeed hung-ering for the bread of life. At present I
have on hand nearly a dozen letters similar to the one, a copy of which
I enclose, from pastors at Pernau, Weisenstein, Rothel, Surgel, St. John's, ycrjptures.
and other parts of Esthonia, all craving an immediate supply of New
Testaments. I have already, within a few months, through the kind
assistance of the North-American Bible Society, supplied 1100 copies, and
yet the demands increase, and with greater urgency of appeal."

" It is only to-day," writes Pastor Kettler, " that I am able to announce
to you the safe arrival of the 100 copies of the Reval-Esthonian New Testa-
ment you] had the kindness to send me. Through some inadvertence, the Kettler.
books had lain several weeks in Reval ; and it was only on last Saturday
that they arrived here, very well packed, and in the best order. 1 imme-
diately, on the following day, Sunday, announced their arrival to my
flock ; and, as soon as service was over, the Esthonians came, like a flood,
to my house, to purchase the holy book of books at the price so much
reduced. In the course of an hour, the 100 copies of the New Testament
were all sold, and had I had several hundred more, they would all have
gone off on -one and the same day, the demand for the holy word of God
here is so very great ; but, alas ! the scarcity of New Testaments is also
so great, that only the least number of famiHes are in possession of it.
]\Ty flock at Jorden is composed of about 7oOO individuals, male and
female, forming some 120O families. Among this number, very few are
unable to read. The most — yes, I might almost say that nearly all — can
read. But the poverty of the Esthonian country-jjeople being extreme,
very few are able to buy the New Testament, which in Reval costs 2i rix-
dollars, and, consequently, is to them a dear book. When, therefore,
through your kindness, I was put in possession of those 100 copies, which
I could sell at a price easily to be obtained of the poorest, the poor, im-
pelled by a ravenous hungering after the precious word of God they so
much longed for, flocked unto me, and many parted with the last copeck,
that they might obtain the Holy Gospel of the Lord. But only 100
families of the 1200, could at this time be provided with the Sacred
Scriptures ; and a great number had to be sent away unsupplied, after

Eetter of
Pastor

520

HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE.

Chap. 111.
1829-34.

Sect. II.
Northern

Russia.
1842.

Esthonia.

South of
Russia.

Efforls of
Mr. Mel-
ville, of
Odessa.

Crimea.

Karaite
Jews.

my stock of New Testaments was exhausted. It was with deep con-
cern they retired; and they begged of me, with tears, that I would
communicate their request to the kind and friendly gentleman, who, for
the love of Christ, is willing to furnish them with Bibles at such a cheap
price, to send again, as soon as jjossible, another supply of those line New
Testaments. I promised the poor people to write to you in St. Peters-
burgh by next post, thanking you, in the heartiest and sincerest manner,
for the 100 copies already received, and, at the same time, urgently im-
ploring a fresh supply of books. I could easil}^ sell here 1000 copies of the
New Testament ; but I fear that, considering the many and considerable
sacrifices you make for the distribution of the Sacred Scriptures, this
number for my single parish might appear too gi-eat. I therefore take the
liberty to request 400 or 500 of the Reval- Esthonian New Testament, if
you can supply me with so many.

This application was cheerfully complied with.

Shortly before this time, interesting letters had been re-
ceived from a gentleman in the south of Russia, who, availing
himself of such leisure as he was able to command, had been
industriously employed in circulating the Scriptures among the
numerous German colonists, Jews and others, found in that
part of the empire. In the course of three years, he had dis-
tributed above 7500 copies, in German, Hebrew, and other
languages, supplied by the Society, in conjunction with the
American Bible Society. Mr. Melville, of Odessa, for that is
the name of the gentleman, will be found henceforward taking
a prominent part in the work of the Society in that part of
Kussia : indeed, he became afterwards more fully engaged in
the service of the Society, though never formally appointed as
one of its Agents.

Writing from Odessa, in November 1841, he says : —

" I am just returned from the Crimea, where I have been for nearly
two months. From having gone thither at the time of vintage, I did not
get on so rapidly as I had expected. As I went to them with the word
of God, I would not leave till I should give them an opportunity of re-
ceiving it ; and I am hap^iy to say I disposed of all I had taken with me.
In the Crimea the stranger in general is only welcomed for his money ;
and in general only those who have money to spend are their visitors : but
I went to give them a more valuable treasure, and was not rejected."

He gives the following notice of the Karaites, and other
Jews, whom he met with in the Crimea : —

" There are in Kozloff about 800 families of Karaites- They are poor,
but industrious : many are respectable. They do not sufler their poor to

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 521

go about beg-ging-, but supply them weekly witli the means of subsi.--tence. EUROPE.
Nor are their children left to g'row up in ig'norance. The children of the —

poor, and the orphans, are educated at the expense of the community. nj29-34
When I was there, seventy-one individuals, old and young-, were upon —

the poor's list : forty-one of them were children being educated at the ^S'^^'''- ^^'

public expense. Knowing their poverty, and seeing their efforts for the

good of their community ; before leaving", for the benefit of orphans, I Eussia.
made them a present of twent,y-five Pentateuchs, for which they were l^'^^-
very thankful ; and in the Synagogue, on Saturday, the 20th September Cpjuiiea,.
(O.S.), a special prayer was read for the blessmgof God upon the labours
of the Society. From a deep sense of the blessing conferred on them by
the abundant supplies they have received, this prayer is appointed to be gpe^jj^j
read in the Synagogue every Saturday for one year. At Bachisary there prayer in
are about 375 families of Karaites : they have not so many poor, but the tbeir syua-
community is much poorer than that of KozlofF. I g-ave them ten copies ^°^"
of the Pentateuch for the benefit of their orphans, of which they were
likewise very glad, and other five copies I gave to poor families. The
wants of this people are not yet suppHed. During the past two months
I have distributed thirty -five Testaments, Hebrew, and German and
Hebrew, among Jews and Karaites ; and with some of the parties who
have received the books, I have had many interesting conversations.
There are individuals among' the Jews who have left off the study of the
Talmud ; nor do they allow their children to be taught it. They are
studying the Old Testament more attentively than hitherto they have
done, and oug'ht to have .yet a large supjDly sent them. They (both Jews
and Karaites) say, that they are waiting for the signs of the Messiah's
appearing'."

In the year 1842, the St. Petersburgh Agency were able to
report, that 40,000 poor families in Finland had received,
through the hands of tlie Society, a copy of the New Testa-
ment. A distribution had also commenced of the Reval-Estho-
nian New Testament, ordered to be printed in the preceding
year, and Mr. Melville's issues had then risen to 12,356
copies.

Nor was the work of the Society carried on only in the
more distant provinces, as is evident from the fact, that the
Agency, in 1843, issued from the depot at St. Petersburgh
25,297 copies, besides 2000 on account of the American Bible
Society. A large number of these were, doubtless, retained in
the central parts of the empire.

Mr, Melville, in the course of his journeys through South-
ern Russia, came into contact with the people of almost as
many nations, as were congregated at Jerusalem on the day

522 HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE, of Pentecost; and, by means of the Scriptures which the

Chap" III Society consigned to him for distribution, was enabled to speak

1829-54. to them, in their own tongues, of the wonderful works of God.

Sect^ it. Many of them were amazed, and some doubted, saying one to

Northern another, " What meaneth this?" Jews, Turks, Tartars, Ar-

Russia. menians, Georgians, &c. &c., were all benefited by his labours.

1846. ^g ^ specimen of the nature and extent of these labours, we

Crimea, may quote the following account from one of his letters of a

somewhat later date, 1846 : —

Journey of <' Before leaving- Odessa, I sent out boxes to diiFerent parts to wait my
Mr. Mel- arrival. From here I went by the steamer to Yalta, on the south coast of
the Crimea, and took with me a good supply of Scriptures for the Tartars,
I took up my quarters at different places along- the coast, between Alupka
and Alushta, and visited the Tartar villages all around, at the same time
supph-ing foreigners who live on the estates, as I passed. From Alushta
to Sudak there is no cart-road along the coast, but the way can be made
on horseback. I had never gone by this road, and as there are large
Tartar villages between these places, in natural fortresses or beautiful
retired villages, seldom visited by the traveller, I was the more anxious
to go by this route, to see what state this interesting- people are in, in
these sequestered spots. For this purpose, I engaged an old Tartar of
ninety-six, but as active and lively as a youth of nineteen, to go with me
to Sudak with two horses. Having put my books in bags, I slung them
over the horses, and set out, staying as long at each village we came to
as duty required. How kindly these poor people i-eceived me, how well
they treated me, and how thankfully they received at my hands the words
of eternal life ! Mav the Sun of Rig-hteousness dispel the darkness of
their minds, and enlighten their hearts with the light of salvation, that
they may learn from the gospel of our Saviour, that Jesus of Nazareth is
the sinner's best friend, and the only Saviour of ruined man. My old
companion was of great service to me in these villages, in all of which he
was well known and respected. I only wish I could speak to the hearts
of this people in their own language. This is a very rug-ged road, and
not for the giddy-headed nor the faint-hearted ; but the valleys in these
passes are for me scenes of deep interest, where one might cautiously

labour to great advantage

" From Sudak I passed over the mountains to Old Krim, which is
chiefly inhabited by Armenians, who were friendly. I passed one night
among them, and went on to Theodosia : there I bought a quantity of
Sclavonic Bibles for the Molokans in the Molotchna. From Theodosia I
went by land to Kertch, where I stopped ten days, well occupied among
Tartars, Jews, and others. During my stay there , Prince Woronzow came
from the Caucasus, on his way to Sebastopol to meet the Emperor. He
rested twenty-four hours, during which time I had the pleasure of speak-

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 523

ing- with him twice. He was very kind, and opened the way for my EUROPE.

taking a trip with the steamer along the west coast of the Caucasus. As —

the field of labour here is so very large and important, I do not think of 1^,90' e^ '

going over to the Caucasus, as formerly invited. There are yet many

important villages, and even districts, to he visited in South Eussia, and Sect. II.

no part is yet supplied with the Scriptures ; and how can I leave it till ok-thern

another come to relieve me I" Russia.

After detailing a robbery committed upon him at the inn, _ '

by which he lost his portmanteau, he proceeds : — Crimea.

" From Kertch I went to Berdyansk hy a saihng vessel, as there has
been no steamer on the sea of Azof the past summer. In Berdyansk I
stayed a few days, but could not do much, though I had plenty of Scrip-
tures. It is a growing place, but there is little of the fear of God ua it.
From thence I went to the German Colonies to the north of Marianopol. Gterman
I passed through a number of the villages, and a great interest was ex-
cited for the circulation of the Scriptures. There are about thirty villages
in that quarter ; and in some of them there are considerable revivals : I
hope great good is being done through the circulation of the Scriptures
among them. From thence I went to the Menonite Colonies on the
Molotchna, where likewise much good is being done. From thence I vi-
sited the Molokans, and passed two pleasing days among' them. From the
Molotclina I went to the Menonite Colonies in the government of Eka-
terinoslof, and made arrangements with the Elders of the Church for
carrying on the work without my having to visit them so often. From
thence I had to return to the Lutheran Colonies in the Molotchna, as
Probst Jail was in Odessa when I was there, and I had Bible business to
settle with him.

" From the Molotchna I took my journey homewards. I stayed six
days at Cherson, where much was done among the Jews. The Jews
there are becoming a very interesting people for me : they beg for Testa-
ments, and are not ashamed to use them openly. May the Lord Jesus
speedily make Himself knoAvn unto them as the true Messiah of Israel —
their Saviour and ours ! Though I had intended to stay some time at
Nicolaf, the weather, wliich had Ijeen all along beautiful, was threatening
a change, and gave signs of the near approach of winter, for which I was
not prepared ; wherefore I left my books with a friend, and came home
eight days ago."

Again : —

" The Bible Societj^ has put in circulation a large number of Scriptures,
in whole and in parts, among the Greeks. These, I believe, have been
chiefly circulated in Greece Proper ; but there are a great many Greeks
scattered over the south of Russia, who ai'e in a state of deep ignorance,
and, as far as I have been able to learn, are almost without the Scriptures.
Tliey do not desire the Sacred Scriptures, nor are they willing to pay for
them ; but should the Society give a grant of a few hundred Testaments

524 HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE, in Modern Greek, for g-ratuitous distribution, I think good might be done.

I would go about among them, visit the schools, and try to introduce the

1829-54. " 1'estament as a school-book, to which I beUeve there would be no ob-

— jection."
Sect. II.

Northern r^^^ following interesting notice of the general result of the
Russia. labours of the St. Petersburg]! Agency, is given in their Report
^"'^- for 1846:-

" The total number of Scriptures distributed throughout
the Russian empire by your Agency, from the year 1828
until the present time, has been 191,896 copies. These Scrip-
tures have been in various languages and dialects — Sclavonic,
Modern Russ, German, Polish, Livonian, Reval-Esthonian,
Dorpat-Esthonian, Finnish, Hebrew, Armenian, Modern
Greek, Ancient Greek, Turkish, Tartar, Mongolian, Samo-
gitian, Calmuc, Karelian, Georgian, Moldavian, &c. Through
the"st. Pe- *^^® generous support rendered by your Society to a few

tersburgh English residents in this city, who have ffratuitously under-
Ageucy, up ... ...

to 1U46! taken the distribution of the Sacred Word, has this interesting

result been accomplished. The seed of Divine Truth has
been sown in many a portion of the Russian empire scarcely
known to our countrymen at home, and among people ex-
ceedingly diverse in language, modes of life, and degree of
civilization. In this way, where no living preacher could
uplift his voice, has the Gospel been preached as a witness ;
and we cannot tell, until the disclosures of eternity be given
us, what has been the effect upon individual souls of this dis-
tribution, far and wide, of nearly 200,000 copies of God's
Truth. Who may say what abundant peace and consolation,
to the afflicted and the sorrowful, and those ready to perish,
the copies have imparted ? who may say how great the harvest,
which shall spring up of eternal life?"
jjj In the following year, the cause of the Bible sustained a

heavy loss, in the death of His Eminence Dr. Melartin, the
Death of Archbishop of Finland. His Eminence for many years took

Archbishop a deep interest in the work of Scripture distribution, and was

Melartin • i- • i . i ^ . , ,

of Abo. most judicious and indefatigable m co-operating with the

Agency, in the great work of furnishing every family in the

entire province with a copy of the New Testament. Under

his auspices were distributed in Finland, no fewer than

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETT. 525

52,000 copies ; thus supplying the wants of the 50,422 EUROPE,
families, reported in 1841 as entirely destitute.* His Emi- cn^^m.
nence often, in his letters, expressed his deep and earnest gra- 1829-54.
titude to the British and Foreign Bible Society, for the generoi^s sect. II.
aid afforded by it to his poor Finns. But whilst he tliank- Northern
fully received this aid, he was also most liberal and active Russia,
in organizing and sustaining Auxiliary Bible Associations
throughout Finland. His position gave him influence, and his
heart was fully in the work, so that he secured the effective co-
operation of his clergy. For several years he was thus enabled,
in addition to the above distribution of Testaments, to bring
out and distribute successive editions, of 5000 copies each, of
the entire volume of the word of God. He died full of years
and good works.

In 1848, Mr. Melville of Odessa, whose services had been
rendered for several years in connection with, and through
the medium of the Society's friends at St. Petersburgh, visited jjj. j^f^j.
this country ; when an arrangement was made Avith him, ^'He in ili-
whereby his correspondence and operations were afterwards spondence
to be conducted directly in connection with Earl Street, and a ^'^^? f^^
suitable remuneration for his valuable aid in prosecuting the
Society's work was agreed upon ; still, however, without his
becoming a formal Agent of the Society, as his plans of use-
fulness, which he did not think it right to relinquish, embraced
more than could be comprised within the simple object of the
Society.

In the course of his communication with the Society, on
this occasion, he gave the following interesting account of his
former labours, as well as of the urgent need existing for their
continuance : —

" I went to the south of Russia about eleven years ago, at which time jj^-^ jjjg
there was httle demand for Scriptures in any languag-e, and very few labours ori-
indeed there were in possession of them. Supporting- nij'self by tuition, ginated.
I kept one Colporteur, and sometimes two, going about the city with the
Scriptures; and they met with greater success than I had anticipated.
During the summer, I made a short tour at times to the surrounding
villages and towns, and was in many places well received. Thus the
work went on and prospered, till it became too much for my unassisted

* 20,000 were supjilied in ISil, 20,000 in 1843, and the rest sub-
sequently.

526 HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE, efforts, when the friends at St. Petersburgh kindlj^ lent me assistance.

_ ~TTT By the blessing- of God, the work has continued to prosper without in-

1829-34.* terruption ; and the demand thus created now requires greater efforts and

— more means, or pecuniary assistance, than I have at my disposal. The

Sect. II. (jgmand created among- the mixed multitudes along- the south must be

_ supplied by your Society, if supplied at all ; and besides these, there are

Russia, larg'e and populous regions lying- around, not yet visited, whose inha-

1848. bitants do not possess, nor do they care for, the word of God : they too,

surely have a claim upon Christian sympathy.

" The work of Scripture distribution, among- the many millions in that
vast and powerful empire, is just beginning ; and what is a powerful
nation, Avithout the salutary inHuences of the Gospel of Christ upon the
hearts of the people ? The higher classes of the nation in g-eneral know
the French and German languages, and very many know the Enghsh
too, in which lang-uages they can have the Bible ; but what is there
for the poor — for the mass of the people ? Our Russian Testaments are
already distributed, and we cannot, for the present, obtain another edition.
The only substitute we have for it, at all suitable for the poor, are two
small volumes of Scripture extracts, printed by the Government in the
modern language. These small volumes state, clearly, man's lost and
ruined condition by nature, and his redemption by faith in Christ ; and
are printed, I believe, without any human addition to the words of
Scripture."

Mr. Melville, when at St. Petersburgh, on his way back to
the south of Russia, petitioned the Government to be allowed
to bring into Odessa a large quantity of the Scriptures, free
of the accustomed heavy duties. Shortly after his arrival at
Odessa, he received notice of his petition having been very
Scriptures graciously granted : and thus encouraged by this act of sene-

imported °. -^^ pit • ^ r^ i n ■ ^ -,

free of rosity on the part oi the Imperial (xovernment, and furnished
"uty. ^^,j^]^ ^l^g requisite supplies from the Society, he resumed his

work. He soon had to report, that the greater part of the Scrip-
tures entrusted to him, were distributed in the German, Greek,
Jewish, and Tartar villages. Several German pastors kindly
put their hand to the work, keeping small depots, and rendering
their accounts to Mr. Melville, when he went round among
them. There were also private individuals, both among the
Greeks and Tartars, who took an interest in the distribution
of the Scriptures. The Turkish Scriptures were being dis-
tributed by a congregation on the Azof, who were surrounded
by Tartars, and the Jews were supplied at some of the large
fairs held in the district.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 527

Passing over several intermediate years; — in 1853, we find EUROPE.
Mr. Melville still continuing his enterprising efforts to promote chapTiII.
the circulation of theScriptures, in regions but little accessible to l«29-54.
labours of this kind. During the preceding year he had visited sect. II.
the Crimea, and the German colonies found along the shores Nokthkkn
of the Sea of Azof; he had also gone into Georgia, where he Russia,
spent a considerable part of the winter, and whence he was able _ '
to touch upon the borders of Persia. His success, considering Georgia,
the peculiar difficulties with which he has had to contend, had
been such as to afford much cause for thankfulness. His issues
during the year amounted to 7672 Bibles and Testaments, in
eight different languages.

Early in the following year, he had the pleasure to report,
that he had received permission from the Emperor, for the
further introduction of 20,000 copies of the Scriptures, duty
free, into Odessa : considerable supplies, in several languages,
were therefore immediately directed to be forwarded.

It was also his privilege, this year, to communicate much
interesting information, respecting his labours for the Society
in Georgia and Circassia, as well as in the southern parts of
Russia.

On his return from his visit to the Caucasus, he thus
wrote : —

" The Caucasus is a most interesting country, of vast ex- Mr. Mel-
tent, and inhabited by people all in want of the Bible, and ^^'[^^ ^'^''
many everywhere willing to receive it. The Society has in Caucasus,
readiness the Scriptures most required ; viz. the Arabic, Per-
sian, Turkish, and Armenian ; and I shall be glad when I can
add the Georgian also.

" The Arabic Bible will be everywhere well received by the
learned of the Mullahs, whether Persians, Turks, or the
learned in Dagestan ; in wliich part of the country the Arabic
is the only studied language ; and I believe a pretty large
number of Scriptures could be profitably circulated there.

" The Persian is spoken and read by all who can read, from
Derbent to the southern frontier along the Caspian, and by
all the Tartars in the interior, as far westward as Shemacha,
Shusha, and Ararat. In those parts many of the princes,
chiefs, and also of the Mullahs, were friendly, and even offered

528 HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE, tlieir • assistance to send the Bible to their friends and ac-

ChapTiii. qnaintances on the Steppes. In Tiflis there are about 300

1829-54. Persian merchants, where they have a mosque and a school.

Sect. IL " The Turkish Scriptures can be circulated ambng the

NoETUERN t^^-^yI^s and Tartars, from the mountains of the Caucasus to the

Russia, southern frontier, and from Elizabethpol to the Black Sea,

_ ■ and among the Circassians at all the forts along the coast,

Georgia, where access can be had. The Turkish is the only written

language known by the inhabitants, along the coast of Cir-

cassia and the Black Sea.

" The Georgians have long felt the need of the Bible ; but
whether from the want of means, or the want of zeal, it still
remains a wished-for thing. When I went to Tiflis, last au-
tumn, the most influential of the Georgians came to me, and
asked whether the British and Foreign Bible Society would
come to their aid. I said I believed, if the way were cleared
for their doing so, the Committee would be Avilling to afford
them the required assistance. The Prince is much interested
in the Avork."

In consequence of the information received as above, Mr.
Melville was empowered to get an edition of the Georgian
New Testament printed, provided the requisite permission
should be obtained from the proper authorities ; but this work,
and the operations of this devoted friend generally, were sus-
pended by the breaking out of the war.
Distribu- We now return to the Agency at St. Peter sburgh.
Northern ^^ 1848, the Agency were authorized to print an edition of
Russia. 25,000 copies of the Finnish Testament, and to receive a
further supply of 15,000 Swedish Testaments from Stockholm,
for the benefit of Swedish families resident in Finland. The
reasons for this large grant are furnished in the Agency's Re-
port for the year. From their statement it appeared, that, be-
sides the 50,000 destitute Finnish families already referred to,
who required, and had received, an entirely gratuitous dis-
tribution; there were, in 1841, above 30,000 families, who
could only afford to pay a small sum in return. To meet
the wants of this class, about 13,000 had already been
provided: thus above 17,000 were required for them
alone. Some, also, were needed for others, who, though

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY, 529

unprovided, were able to pay for them themselves. In the EUROPE.
Swedish language, 9000 copies were solicited for as many chapTiii.
extremely poor families, who were unable to pay even a small 1829-54.
sum ; and 6000, for families who were considered able to pay a Sect. IF.
reduced price. Nortuern

Besides the above, 9000 copies, in various languages, were Russia,
sent this year, direct from the Society to the Agency at St. _ •
Petersburg!!, on Avhich, through the generosity of the Em- Baltic
peror, the duties were remitted, and a saving was effected to
the Society to the amount of £300. Arrangements were also
made with the Finnish Society at Abo, by which the 15,000
Swedish Scriptures above referred to were admitted duty free.

In the Baltic provinces of Livonia and Esthonia, the work
commenced by the Society, and afterwards carried on in part
by the American Bible Society, now began " to bear excellent Esthonia.
fruit." The spiritual energies of both pastors and people were
aroused, and the importance of strenuous and sustained efforts,
in the work of Scripture distribution, was more fully perceived. effe"7o^f ^hg
A large proportion of the parishes where these distributions spread of
were made, became now connected with Auxiliary Societies, tures.^'^'^"

Through the active measures adopted by the Agency, the
distribution in Finland, in 1851, amounted to 40,000 volumes;
making the total issues, which the Agency had been the ho-
noured instrument of effecting, in ten years, 121,000 copies.

Pleasing testimony is borne to the increased love of the Religious
Scriptures, manifested by many of the peasantry; and in l^'T^'J"
Lapland, a very remarkable religious revival is said to have
taken place, as one of the results of the free circulation of the
writings of inspired truth. The Finnish clergy, it is also Tlie more
stated, especially the younger portion of them, were aroused sp["ifof
to more abundant labours ; and notwithstanding so many the clergy,
thousands of the Scriptures were distributed gratis, the sale
of them was incomparably larger than before.

" In a country like Finland," writes Mr. EUerby, "of great extent, yet
thinly peopled, it is difficult to observe the immediate results of Scripture
distribution. Probably some of the happiest consequences will for ever re-
main unknown — at least in this world. One instance may be mentioned,
to show that the labour has not been in vain in the Lord. A pious lady had
occasion, one winter, to undertake a journey from Tamerfors to Sordawala,
the farthest town in the east of Finland. It was a journey undertaken for
ISI M

530

HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE.

Chap. III.
1S29-54.

Sect. II.
Northern

Russia.
1H32.

The lamp
of Missions
lighted iu
Finland.

Summary
of Scrip-
ture circu-
lation by
the

Agency,
1854.

benevolent purposes ; and she was agreeably surprised, at the various stages
where she halted, sometimes in the midst of immense forests, far from any
town or village, to meet with Christian peasants, who had come from distant
places, and Avere awaiting her arrival. Her route lay over frozen lakes,
through dense forests, and from one isolated place to another ; and yet, at
some of her night quarters, she found an assemblage[of about 200 pei'sons.
She had taken with her some Swedish Missionary magazines, and trans-
lating the intelligence they contained into Finnish, she was enabled to
inform them of the good effects of Missionary labours in heathen lands.
They had never before heard anj^ such tidings ; and so great an interest
did these Missionary reports excite among these very poor people, that
tliey collected among themselves no less than 140 silver rubles for the
Missionary Society in Stockholm. Owing to their isolated condition, and
other circumstances, they thought themselves the only believers in our
Lord Jesus Christ in that part of Finland, a small and scattered flock.
They had received ' the truth as it is in Jesus' from their ancestors ; and
not being able to hear the preaching- of the Gospel, they had kept up their
faith by reading' the Scriptures, and some rehgious tracts which they had
bought in the nearest towns.

In 1852, the Agency issued 21,332 copies of the Scriptures:
their total direct issue now reached 329,599 copies, in twenty
different languages. They were also, this year, authorized to
put to press a new edition of 20,000 of the Lettish Testament.

In prospect of the Society's Jubilee, in 1853, Mr. Ellerby
drew up and forwarded a very interesting review of the
Agency's labours, in the twelve years during which he had
taken the active superintendence of it, containing also notices
of the work at large, some extracts from which will not inappro-
priately close this part of the history. Before another year had
passed over, the outbreak of the war had driven away Mr. Ellerby
from his post, and, in a great degree, suspended the operations
of the Agency ; not, however, entirely ; for one valued mem-
ber of it (A. Mirrielees, Esq.), being permitted to remain in St.
Petersburgh, not only took charge of the stock of Scriptures in
hand, but succeeded, also, in continuing a considerable circula-
tion. His eftbrts were attended with some circumstances of
peculiar interest, among which may be mentioned, that of hav-
ing supplied the Empress of Russia with 500 copies, for distri-
bution among sick and wounded soldiers in the Crimea.*

* Measures were adopted in this country for the supply of the Russian
prisoners of war, which are noticed in connection with the distribution to
the army and navy. See p. 268 of the present volume.

BRITISH AND FOEEIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 531

We now proceed to lay before the reader the compendious EUROPE,
review of the Bible operations of the Agency, in the various ChapTiii.
provinces of Russia, prepared by Mr. Ellerby, Its deeply in- 1829-54.
teresting character will be accepted as an apology for its length. Sect. II.

Northern

"Finland. — Efforts had been made in this country, from the Russia,
period of the Reformation, to disseminate the volume of saving _ "
truth among the people. An edition of the Bible in folio, the first Finland,
entire edition of the Bible in the Finnish language, had been pub- Total of
lished as early as the year 1642 ; a second edition in quarto, in Previous
the year 1685 ; a third edition in quarto, of 4500 copies, in the the Scrip-
year 1758 ; and a fourth edition, also in quarto, of 9000 copies, *"^^^'
in the year 1776. It is supposed, that the total number of
copies comprised in these four editions, did not exceed 20,000.
These were all that were published, during the long period of
134 years.

"A new era however commenced in Finland in 1812. On the
24th of March of that year. Dr. Paterson succeeded, after great societies
and indefatigable labour, in establishing the Finnish Bible So- ^^^^^^ '°
ciety in Abo; which was afterwards sustained by affiliated
Branches in Borga, Helsingfors, Kuopio, Uleoborg, Bjor-
neborg, Wasa, and Wiborg ; and which is now receiving
the co-operation of Auxiliaries in almost every town in Fin-
land.

" During the years 1812 to 1819, inclusive, the Society in
Abo was aided by several grants from the Biitish and Foreign
Bible Society, amounting to £3050. This money was expended
in printing Finnish Scriptures, in the purchase of Swedish Circulation
Scriptures, in the preparation of stereotype plates, and in the ^°
formation of Auxiliary Societies. In the course of these years,
the Abo Society was enabled, partly by its own efforts in
raising funds, and partly by a grant of 5000 rubles banco,
from His Majesty the Emperor, and a loan of 30,000 rubles
banco, from the Imperial Treasury, to publish four editions,
amounting to 52,750 copies.

" From these statements it will be seen, that from 1 642 to 1 7 76,

there had been published four editions, amounting to 20,000 ;

from 1812 to 1822, there had been published four editions,

amounting to 52,750; total, 72,750 copies. The inadequacy

M M 2

532

HISTORY OF THE

1829-54.
Sect. II.

Russia.
1834

Finland.

EUROPE, of this supply, coupled with the destructive agencies which had
ChapTiii. ^6611 at work during the course of two centuries, will in a great
measure account for the destitution of the Sacred Volume, as
shown by a statement of the Archbishop of Abo, in 1839 ; who
Northern computed that, of 130,000 or 140,000 families in the diocese,
not more than one-half were at that time in possession of a
copy of the New Testament.

" Here, then," proceeds the document before us, " was our
ground of appeal to your Society. We made our statement,
urged our plea, and at once secured the sympathy and aid of
your Committee. Twelve years have since elapsed, and edi-
tion after edition of the Finnish New Testament has, at the
cost and in the name of the British and Foreign Bible Society,
been prepared and distributed in Finland. We have also,
during this period, with the sanction of your Committee, pro-
A'ided supplies of the Finnish Testament for the various Fin-
nish Colonies in Russia and Sweden,

" In the meanwhile, we had not been unmindful of the
wants of the great number of Swedish families, living in
different parts of Finland. Like their Finnish neighbours,
they had increased since 1841, and hence we were authorized
by your Committee to furnish 9000 very poor families, each
with a copy gratuitously of the Swedish Testament, and 6000
families with copies at two-thirds of the cost price. Our
issues, therefore, on behalf of your Society, during these years,
have been 111,000 Finnish Testaments, 10,000 Finnish Testa-
ments and Psalms, 15,000 Swedish Testaments: total, 136,000.
" All this time, the Finnish Bible Society in Abo was doing
all it could accomplish. The impulse originally given to it by
your Society continued to operate efficiently ; so much so, that,
from its formation to the present time, it has, on its own account,
provided and disseminated 110,500 copies of the Finnish
Scriptures, of which 10,255 copies have been distributed
gratuitously.

" In Finland, therefore, directly or indirectly, you have put
into circulation, during the progress of the term of years which
you are about to commemorate with a Jubilee, the very large
number of 246,500 copies of the Divine word, whose sacred
and saving truths are for * the healing of the nations.'

Total of
issues in
18.54.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 533

" You will naturally ask, — But what is the spiritual fruit pro- EUROPE,
duced, during so many years, by the distribution in Finland of chap. III.
these 246,500 copies of the word? Indeed we ourselves pro- 1B29-54.
posed this very question, to one of our esteemed friends in Sect. II.
Finland, and his reply was, in substance, as follows : *' The Northern
inward work of the Lord is generally hid, and that is the most Russia,
precious ; but you may tell the Committee, that in Finland the _ '
fruit of the seed wdiich has been sown, has been the same as Finland,
they have witnessed all over the world. The eyes of the
blind have been opened, the lame have learned to walk, and
many hearts have been turned to the Lord. Finland had
largely participated in the great spiritual apostacy, that occurred
throughout Europe during the last century. Its inhabitants had of former
drunk deeply of the cup of infidelity ; in fact, thirty years ago, y^^'"®-
the Gospel was not preached at all in Finland, save in some lafidelity
remote corner where an aged pastor was jet alive to the truth.
Hence, when a revival of religion began in Germany, through
the establishment, in 1817, of Bible Societies, the report was
received here wdth great suspicion ; and any one professing the
new doctrines, as Evangelical truth was denominated, was
branded and derided as an enthusiast. At that time. Bibles Scriptures
were so scarce that they could hardly be procured at any price. ^^^'"'^®-
No sooner, however, had the generous enterprise of the Bi'itish
and Foreign Bible Society commenced, than the people were
surprised to see edition after edition of the New Testament
provided for their use, and on terms wathin their reach. The Awakeu-
matter excited the greatest interest, and many a precious soul i^g con-
began to feel, for the first time, a craving desire to possess and the spread
to read the Holy Scriptures. A pow^erful effect was produced °*^*!^^
on the minds of the poor, who in this country have so few
mental resources. What they read was new" to them, and they
read on with avidity : many were the hearts wdiicli the spirit
of the Lord opened, and numerous were the examples even of
wdiole congregations, who sat under the teaching of an infidel
pastor, coming to the light of the Gospel, and finding the rock of
salvation. At length a few students of theoloo;y, at the "^'^^ ^*^""

'^ d^nts of

University of Helsingfors, received the doctrines of the Gospel. Heisingfors
This was in the year 1838, and w^as the date of the commence- ^'"'^"'^i'>'-
mcnt of a great spiritual revival, which continued for ten years

534

HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE.

Chap. III.
1829-54.

Sect. II.

JNORTHEKl

Russia.
1854.

Finland.

Lapland.

Testimony
of Bishop
Fabricius
and others,

with unabated vigour, and which, though now apparently in a
state of subsidence, has produced, and is producing, the most
precious results. The ample supplies of the Scriptures met
with ready distribution. A great change for the better took
place among the pastors : many of them became men who lived,
and held, and proclaimed the truth as it is in Jesus. The
Gospel of Salvation, therefore, is now more than ever preached
in all its clearness, force and fulness ; and the fruit thereof
is both manifest and abundant. It is in Finland, as in other
countries ; the same word produces the same results. Numerous
are the individual instances which have come to my own
knowledge, of benefits derived from reading of the word; but I
abstain from mentioning them, lest I should unduly swell out
your Report to the Committee. Suffice it to say, that the
British and Foreign Bible Society has been eminently blessed,
in the great work it has been doing in Finland. Let it not
withold its hand, nor grow weary in well-doing ; but amid
encouragement and disappointment, still go on in its labours,
looking to the divine promises, and remembering that the work
is the Lord's."

" Lapland," proceeds Mr. Ellerby, " remote and inhospi-
table though it be, has been reached and benefited by the opera-
tions of your Society. In our last annual Report, we informed
your Committee of the great revival of religion which was then
in progress, and which our informant distinctly ascribed to the
blessed result of Scripture distribution. We had to convey to
3'ou the intelligence, that the grain of mustard-seed had quietly
and silently operated in that bleak region of the north, and had
become a thick and shady tree ; that the Laplanders, in whom
spiritual darkness, covetousness, theft, sensuality, and drunken-
ness had reigned, had so felt the power of divine truth, that of
their own accord, they had confessed and abjured their all-pre-
vailing vices, had been brought to feel themselves spiritually
poor, and had become willing to part even with the treasures
their covetousness had laid up, in order to buy the Scriptures,
Your Agency has since then received additional intelligence,
by letters from various trustworthy individuals; among whom
we may mention Bishop Fabricius, who has visited the places
where these remarkable events have transpired; from Pastor

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 535

Fellin, who has lived many years among the Laplanders, and EUROPE.

from Pastor Liljeblad, who is now among them, and has writ- chapTiti.

ten us from their very midst ; and who says, ' though the 1S29-54.

work is now at a stand, its fruits are apparent in individuals, Sect. II.

as well as the general state of the people. To describe this great Northern

work of the Lord, would be to relate the change wrought in Russia.

each individual, which is an impossibility. Suffice it to say, _'

that the results are most astonishing. Brandy-selling or Lapland.

drinking, with its consequences, is banished ; stealing and

defrauding are no more heard of; the love of God, domestic

worship, and the careful education of the children, generally

prevail. In places w^here before there was neither Bible nor

^ ^ regarding

Testament, the Holy Scriptures are now to be found. Even the change

the wandering tribes take with them, on their peregrinations, La°'i^ud "^

copies of the quarto Bible, for which they pay a fair sum per

copy. Much inquiry also is now made for copies of the New

Testament with the Psalms, and wath parallel passages. Here

in Tornea Lapland, the Lapponian language is not used in

religious services ; for the people all understand Finnish. Li

Norwegian Lapland, the New Testament of Stockfleth, printed

at Christiania, is circulated ; but even there, the people prefer

the Finnish translation, as they understand the language better."

" Another correspondent writes, that ' as the Finlanders
push up more and more to the north, and make new settle-
ments, it is probable, that ere long all the w^andering tribes of
Laplanders in Russia will disappear, either identifying them-
selves with the Finnish nation, or emigrating to Norway, on
the borders of the Polar Sea.' By the last official statistics, it
appears that the whole nation of Laplanders consists of 5000
in Norway, 4000 in Sweden, 2000 in Russia, dwelling on the
great isthmus situated between Kandalak and the bay of
Kola; total, 11,000.

" We give these details, not only as interesting in them-
selves, but as sustaining a resolution to which we have come,
that it w^ould })e unnecessary and unadvisable to undertake
the printing of a new edition of the Lapponian Testament
and Psalms. We have access to the Laplanders by means
of the Finnish Testament and Psalms recently published,
which they seem to imderstand as well, or better, than the

536

HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE.

Chap. Ill,
1829-34.

Sect. II.
Northern

Russia.
1834.

Baltic Pro-
vinces.

Reral-
Esthonia.

Testimony
of Coun-
sellor von
Schwebbs,

Retrospect
of the pre-
vious Lalf-
century.

Scriptures printed in their own native language. We shall
endeavour to sustain and deepen the religious impressions,
now so happily and extensively prevalent among them, by
using every available opportunity of supplying them with
copies of the pure word of God.

" Your Committee are aware that the work of Scripture dis-
tribution, now carried on by us in the Baltic provinces, is on
behalf of the American Bible Society. But your Society
commenced that work, and hence will naturally inquire what
have been the results ? We cannot do better than present
them to your notice, as they have been described to us by our
honoured and devoted friend. Counsellor of State, F. von
Schwebbs, of Reval. He writes : —

" Half a century ago, as I well recollect, the state of things
in reference to the word of God, appeared worse in this land
of my birth, than at the time of Elijah in Israel. There was
scarcely a single pulpit in the whole of Esthonia, from which
the good tidings of the free grace of God in Christ, was pro-
claimed in purity and living power. With but few exceptions,
there was no observance of tlie Sabbath, as the holy day of
God. The preacher only thought of a regular Sabbath ser-
vice, and he occupied himself during the week with an exercise
on some moral subject, which he read on the Sabbath to
a small congregation in the Church. On fast-day, however,
the Churches were in some parts well attended by the nobility
belonging to the parish ; for" after the so-called ' penitential
sermon ' in the forenoon, the parishioners were invited to
dinner at the pastor's, and regaled in the evening with music
and dancing. If it happened that an individual pastor had the
courage to come out with greater seriousness, the scorners
thought nothing of coming into the Church and making game
of him there whilst preaching. The word of God was not only
' precious in the land,' as in the time of Elijah, but it was
even cast away as superfluous. In the families of the nobility,
and of the citizen class, who are here of German origin, there
were certainly Bibles to be found, but they were valued only
in a few houses ; " For," said a preacher of note to a man of dis-
tinction who sought after the truth, " the Bible you know is
only for the common people, not for the educated."

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 537

" Nor were the poor, the common people themselves, who EUROPE,
are here of the Esthonian nation, and who, until 1816, were in chap^^III.
a state of serfdom, better provided for. The New Testament 1829-34.
in the Esthonian language, was not printed until 1715, and then Sect. II.
only a few copies, although the Reformation had extended to Northern
our parts as early as 1523. Small editions also were printed Russia.
in 1729, 1740, and 1790. In 1739, the complete Esthonian ^^l^"
Bible was first published, chiefly at the cost of the pious Reval-
General von Bohn, whose lady afterwards distributed the
whole of the copies in two parishes, which now stand far behind
others in the cause of Scripture distribution. A second edition
of the entire Bible was printed in 1770, and was paid for out
of the book-printing fund established by that faithful witness
of Christ, Eberhard Gutzlaff. Up to that time, therefore, the portion of
number of Scriptures distributed among the Esthonians could Scriptures
not be great. And it was calculated in 1813, that among a pulation.
population of 400,000 souls in Esthonia, half Livonia, and the
province of Oesel, only 3400 copies had been circulated : hence
the assumption of the British and Foreign Bible Society, that,
in the year 1813, only nine copies of the word of God were
to be found among 1000 souls in this country, was certainly
a favourable one. It was the same here as in Livonia, where
the editions already printed, were but partially even distributed
among the people. A considerable portion of an edition of the
Lettish Testament, printed in 1730, was, for want of sale, used
as waste paper ; and of the edition of the Lettish Bible, printed
in Leipzig in 1794, above 3000 copies lay untouched so late
as 1816.

" Thus matters stood in my native country, when God, in

1812, sent among us the venerable Dr. John Paterson, as the

Agent of the British and Foreign Bible Society. It is to him Dr? Pater-
that the Esthonian Bible Societv, established on the 4th July son's ope-

1813, owes its existence. Its first funds were supplied by
the British and Foreign Bible Society, in a sum of 5000
rubles, to which they added, in 1815, the further sum of
3044 rubles, for the printing of an edition of the Esthonian
Bible. These two amounts were found insufficient, and hence
an edition of the Esthonian Testament only was published in
1816. However, on the 14tli August, of that year. Dr.

rations.

538 HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE. Paterson announced, in Reval, the munlficient gift of the British

r ~III ^^^^ Foreign Bible Society of £1000 sterling, for the purpose

1829-54. of preparing an edition of the Bible, and, if possible, also of the

Sect! II. '^^^ Testament from stereotype plates. Dr. Paterson, at the

Northern same time, insisted upon, and caused a careful revision of the

Russia, entire Esthonian Bible, purifying it from errors of translation,

1854. jj^j^j from passages rendered ambiguous by misprints or philo-

Esthonia. logical misrenderings. This was undertaken and effected, by

native pastors of experience and learning. The good Doctor

himself, however, though personally unacquainted with the

language, entered so minutely into the details of the revi-

Revision of g-^^^^ ^|-^^^ ^le was able to detect certain ' misinterpretations,

Bible. and arbitrary alterations,' which had been introduced during

the revision, and thus to secure a more faithful translation of

the oricrinal. The fruit of these labours was the Esthonian

Bible, printed in St. Petersburgh in 1822, and the Esthonian

stereotype Testament, printed likewise in St. Petersburgh in

1825.

"But the ground on which this seed fell, was as yet very
little prepared for its reception. The higher classes were in-
different ; the poor people, though less prone to unbelief, were
ignorant ; and the clergy were lukewarm, both in proclaiming
the Gospel, and disseminating the Scriptures. In 1824, six
only, of our forty-six country parishes, had formed themselves
into Auxiliaries of the Bible Society in Reval ; and only one,
even of these, went vigorously to work in distributing the
Sacred Volume. Matters continued in this languid state until
1841 : hence what was effected, up to that period, scarcely
deserves mention.

" Since then, however, the work has been carried on much
Amount of more efficiently; and during the last eleven years, 3 1,000 copies
Scriptures ^f ^]^q Scripturcs have been put into circulation in Esthonia
itself, and 2350 copies beyond the limits of the province,
making a total of 33,350 copies. We have been enabled to
effect this result, chiefly by the generous help of the American
Bible Society, which has supplied us with Esthonian Testa-
ments, and also German Scriptures for sale at very reduced
prices, or for gratuitous distribution when necessary. By
means of these cheap and abundant supplies, a much more

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 539

lively interest in the work was created tliroughout the whole EUROPE,
country ; so much so, that the receipts of the Esthonian Bible "ttt
Society rose, from 235 rubles in 1843, to 2338 rubles in 1 829-5 j.'

1851. _ ^ SkcIiI.

" And then as to the spiritual results, which have sprung from Northern
this work of the Lord, and more especially the distribution of Ru^ja.
33,350 copies since 1841 ; this increased spread of the Sacred ^'^^4.
Volume is, I think, a manifest proof of the increased zeal and Reval-
activity of the Esthonian clergy of the present day, as com- Esthoma.
pared with those of former days. Indeed, the precious pro-
mise that the word shall not return void, but shall accomplish
all God's pleasure, and perform that whereunto it is sent, has Spiritual
been eminently fulfilled among us. Many souls, even of the ^^^^ ^^'
clergy, have been awakened from death unto life. For this
result we are indebted, under God, to the increased distribu-
tion of the Scriptures, and to the efforts and influence of an
eminent man, a statesman like unto the prophet Daniel, whom
God, in His grace, made use of for pouring incalculable good
upon my native land. This man was Prince Carl Lieven,
now resting in bliss from his labours. He was made Curator
of the Dorpat University in 1817, Minister of Public Instruc- Efforts of
tiou in 1828, and, to the day of his death, was President of the Lfeven!^*"^*
Protestant Bible Society in Russia. To this man, who had
bowed his knees much before the Lord, and had wrestled as a
true Israel with God, the Dorpat University owes its being
drawn out of the bog of rationalism, and placed on the living
Rock, which is Christ. Since then it has continued to supply
my poor country, formerly desohited by infidelity, with teach-
ers and preachers of the pure Gospel."

" We have thus, in substance," resumes Mr. Ellerby, "quoted
from Counsellor von Schwebbs himself : we briefly give 3"ou the
heads of his remaining intelligence. He tells us that, through-
out Esthonia, the attendance on the Divine ordinance of public
worship is comparatively very good ; that not only are there
uow Sabbath services, but week-day meetings for the reading
and exposition of the Sacred Volume ; that a Missionary spirit
has been excited ; and that the friends of Christian IVIissions
regularly meet for prayer and praise, and the hearing of Mis-
sionary intelligence ; that nearly every German family in town

540

HISTORY OF THE

EUROPE.

Chap. Ill,
1829-54.

Sect. II.
Northern

Russia,
1854.

Livouia.

Moscow.

and country is now in possession of a copy of the Scriptures ;
that the precious volume of God's word is found now in more
than half of the peasants' houses in Esthonia ; that active love
to Christ finds employment in deeds of Christian benevolence,
in the care of the poor, the instruction of the young, the visi-
tation of the sick and dying, and in efforts to put down the
baneful use of spirituous liquors, and to direct the drinkers
thereof to the living waters of the Gospel, even the waters of
eternal life.

" Livonia is, to your Agency, almost a ' terra incognita,^ so
far as regards the precise details of past and present Scripture
distribution. We had hoped to receive an accurate statement
from thence, as well as from other parts, but as yet it has not
reached us. We believe, however, that from 1814 to the pre-
sent time, about 70,000 copies of the Scriptures have been
distributed through the efforts of the Riga Bible Society, of
which number your Agency (chiefly on behalf of the American
Bible Society) have, since 1841, supplied upwards of 20,000
copies.

" Moscow, the ancient metropolis of the empire, has been
the sphere of considerable Scripture circulation for some years
past, in which yovir Agency have been co-workers with the
Protestant Bible Society of St. Petersburg!!.

" The progress of this Association was, and is, much hin-
dered by local circumstances and obstructions ; such as the
scattered state of the Protestant population, the isolation of the
members, the great extent of the city, and the immense dis-
tances from point to point : hence the existing want of Scrip-
tures among the Protestants, is with difficulty ascertained and
supplied.

" With a view to extend the sphere of their operations be-
yond Moscow itself, the Committee of that Society, in the year
1846, sent circulars to the pastors of the towns in the interior
of Russia, where there are Churches of the Lutheran Confes-
sion, offering them supplies of Scriptures, partly for sale and
partly for gratuitous distribution ; urging them, at the same
time, to do their best among their flocks to create an interest
in the dissemination of the word of God, and to induce willing
friends to aid in the support of so good a cause. Answers to

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. 541

this appeal were received from pastors in Tiflis, Tamboff, EUROPE.
Nislmei-Novogorod, and Orenburg; who, at their request, Chap~III
were furnished with Scriptures, which in due time were put 1829-54.
into circuhition, and year by year fresh supplies have been for- Sect. II.
warded. Nokthern

" It was also particularly cheering to our brethren in Mos- Russia,
cow, to have been enabled, in the year 1849, still further to '^^^'
extend their operations, namely, to the criminals and other
Protestant inhabitants settled in so distant a region as Eastern
Siberia. This was done through the instrumentality of Pastor
Butzke, of Irkutsk, who was appointed there in 1849, and j. . .
who, since then, has been labouring with great success in that Pastor
country. His field of operations is most extensive, and in all i^^giberia.
his excursions, he is careful to supply copies of the Scriptures
wherever he finds destitution. He has to travel over the
governments of Irkutsk, Yenniseisk, Yakutsk, and Ochotsk.
Some of these governments he visits once a year, others at in-
tervals of two to four years, for the purpose of administering
spiritual instruction and consolation to all the members of the
Protestant fjiith, of whatever nation, whom he may find scat-
tered throughout the several towns and villages. Notwith-
standing, however, all his efforts, he has been unable to make
the personal acquaintance of all the persons settled in those
parts, or to ascertain whether or not they were in possession
of the Scriptures ; and hence he has established depots in dif-
ferent parts of these governments, under the charge of trust-
worthy individuals. Thus, in his absence, the good and im-
portant work of Scripture distribution in Eastern Siberia is
continually going forward. In his last Report, dated the begin-
ning of 1852, he mentions six different languages, in which he
had furnished copies of the word of God. He speaks also, in
terms of gratitude, of the divine grace and fruitfulness which
have been apparent, not only in the joy evinced when the
Scriptures have been received, but also in the blessed effects
that have followed. ]\Iany are found, particularly among the
exiles, who, though cut off from all Church communion, owe
not only all their right evangelical knowledge to the use they
have made of the word of God, but have learnt to value this
word as a rich source of spiritual consolation amid their out-

542

HISTORY OF THE

1829-54.
Sect. II.

Russia.
1845.

Trans-
Volga
Auxiliary

EUROPE, ward tribulations, yea, even as the only source of their enjoy-
Chap. III. ment of the righteousness, peace, and joy of the Holy Ghost.
" We must mention, however, that our Agency has sent
to Moscow, from the year 1840 to the close of 1852, no less
_ than 14,417 copies of the Scriptures in various languages, of
which we despatched to our old and valued friend. Pastor
Dlttrich, 3957 copies; some to another English friend; but the
greater part of them to Dr. Haas, a devout physician, and a
government inspector of the prisons and hospitals, who has
distributed gratuitously, in behalf of the Society, since 1840,
upwards of 8000 of these copies of the Divine word, to pri-
soners and exiles, on their way through Moscow to Siberia.

** In the year 1835, the eight great Evangelical Communities
of German colonists, who settled in the last century, during the
reign of Catherine H., on the other side of the Volga (called
the meadow side), in the government of SaratofF, formed them-
selves, under the direction of their respective pastors, into a
Bible Association, denominated the Trans- Volga Auxiliary of
the Moscow Section. This Association has been exceedingly
active in the work, and had distributed, from 1835 to the end
of 1849, 81 10 copies of the Sacred Volume. Every year they
have sent contributions to the Head Committee in St. Peters-
burgh for the general purposes of the Bible Society, as also
special sums for the gratuitous distribution of the Scriptures
among recruits and crlyilnals. Some years ago, several parishes
separated from the General Auxiliary, and constituted them-
selves into independent Associations. In consequence of this
unhappy schism, and of the bad harvests for several years suc-
cessively, the operations of the Trans- Volga Auxiliary were
lamentably impeded and crippled. Happily, however, in 185 1 ,
the Association organized itself afresh ; the parishes which had
been dissevered, again connected themselves with it ; and now
there is every reason to hope, that, with the Divine blessing,
this important Association will again go on prosperously.

"Of the 8110 copies distributed by this Society, we have
furnished 2295 copies; and have besides, during the years
1841 to 1852, sent direct to various pastors on the Volga an
additional number of 9805 ; so that the total issues in those
parts havel)een 17,915 copies of the Scriptures.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY.

543

Northern

Russia.
1854.

" It is from St. Petersburgh, that your Agency have di- EUROPE,
rected the various operations which have thus passed under Chap. III.
review. Nor have we been unmindful of our own home sphere. 1^29-54.
In this city alone, from 1840 to 1852, we have distributed no less Sect. II.
than 30,106 copies of the Scriptures. Of late years, our issues
have been increased, through the activity displayed by the St.
Petersburgh Section of the Protestant Bible Society ; which is
formed on the same model, and for the same purposes, as the
Moscow Auxiliary of that Society, and which, since 1847, we
have supplied with 11,527 copies of the word of God, in vari-
ous languages.

" The supply of Scriptures to the exiles, prisoners, and dis-
charged soldiers, commenced in 1828, has been continued
without interruption until the present time, and the entire
number of copies of the word of God thus distributed, has been
24,910.

" The total issues of your Agency, since the commencement
of its operations, Avill be found, we think, when our distribu-
tions for the past year are examined and certified, to have been
329,599 copies of the Scriptures, in upwards of twenty of the
languages of the earth."

We here terminate our review of the Society's operations in
the Central and Northern parts of Europe — operations calling
forth and intermingling with a large amount of kindred effort,
generously and cheerfully dedicated to the same sacred cause.
In the South of Europe, to which we shall next proceed,
though the work has not been carried forward on so large a
scale, still it will be found to present features of much interest.

END OF THE FIRST VOLUME.

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Full text of "The history of the British and Foreign Bible Society : from its institution in 1804, to the close of its jubilee in 1854 : compiled at the request of the jubilee committee"

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